Virginia Mae Christopher

We are here to celebrate the life of Virginia Mae Purchase Christopher

Born in Sedalia Missouri Nov 12 1927.

She passed away at Lori Christopher -Hislop and Glen Hislop’s home on February 25.

Leaving Missouri and arriving in Washington after a cross country trip in a homemade motor home, (see photos) with her eleven siblings. Marvin Purchase, Elmer Purchase ,Oreen Rank, Edith Schoonover, Margaret Loges, Helen Fisher, Estalyne Chappell, Evalyne Vivian, Beulah Lee Smith, Cleo Gange. The family grew up and worked on the family farm, which is still owned by her nephew Dale Smith.

Virginia graduated from Toppenish high-school in 1946, she stayed in touch with her classmates, attending all school reunions along with many of her nieces and nephews.

She was educated and worked in business, before meeting Don Christopher at the First Christian church in downtown Yakima. They are charter members of this church.

She married Don in 1948, with their dear friends Karlene and ( Ron ) Jake Jacobs by their sides and friends until the end. Karlene and Ron are also members here.

Don and Virginia went into the Dairy Queen business in 1950, partnered with Cecil Anderson. They eventually bought him out for $1500 00.

Virginia absolutely loved her years as "Mrs C", at the Dairy Queen. Teaching many of the young people fantastic work ethic. She said it kept her young she really enjoyed all the people she worked with. Many of them she kept in touch with over the years.

Virginia was a multi tasker from the beginning, working full time, gardening, running the household by herself, and raising their three children Randall Lee, Mark Alan and Lori.

Her biggest heart break was the early deaths of her sons Randy at 23 and Mark at 58, both died too young, she spoke often of reuniting with them soon in her final months. She was also looking forward to being reunited with her family again. They were a close knit group especially the 9 girls who would quilt together on a regular basis.

Many beautiful quilts came out of these “gossip” sessions, you knew who was the topic of conversation that week based on who she talked about at dinner.

The families shared most holidays together, as can be seen in the group line up photos. As the baby of the family she often said, she didn’t have to make her own decisions, as someone usually had done it for her already. So it was easy to let Don continue that.

She was always game to join Don and the Cascade snow drifters, as well as many friends and family as they enjoyed snowmobiling outings at their "cabin" at Rim Rock Lake.

They were blessed from their hard work with the ability to travel upon retirement, if they weren’t driving somewhere in their motor home on an adventure to see the country, they enjoyed ocean cruises, she recently said that the Panama Canal was her favorite cruise.

Her favorite on land touring was month they spent in the UK in 1992 to see son in law Glen's country and family. She was silly enough to pinch the royal guard to see if she could get him to laugh, he did smirk, but they are forbidden to show any sort of emotion.

Volunteering was always a big part of Virginia’s life. Whether it was at Camp Prime Time, the snowmobiling club fundraisers, making sandwiches for camp Hope, here at church, or baking cakes for the senior center or collecting cans to donate to charity.

Her favorite volunteering position was at the Harmon senior center, where she served coffee, donuts and a smile for many years.

She took care of husband Don full time for 8 years through his Dialysis.

Upon his passing, she blossomed as a woman, she found her voice, she became independent, and self-assured, biggest surprise of all, after being a lifelong Republican, the other "Don" made her switch to Democrat, she spoke up for the Me Too movement, and supporter of those whom were not accepted in this society.

Once a beautiful fiery redhead, she became a beautiful "white haired lady". She finally let people see the funny sense of humor she had. If you didn’t get the "eagle eye", the side eye or the wagging finger, then you hadn’t seen her true funny self.

She was joking and laughing until the end!

Please remember her that way!

She made very close friends at the senior center including dear "skipbo" group of Ellen, Melva and Sharon. They continued to visit with her via Zoom until the end.

She was a special aunt to many nieces and nephews, all of whom kept in contact with her.

Special big thank you to Janet Vivian for being her constant companion and chauffer, helping her move twice. Taking her somewhere daily, just to get out, or for her daily trips to the rehabilitation facility. She truly was a special gift for a very social Virginia.

Thank you to niece Barbara Rogers for the Sunday night conversations, hosting the holiday get togethers as well as historical/photography assistance for today’s celebration.

The family and friends "Moving crew" too, she did enjoy all her friends and neighbors at Living Care, as well as all her old neighbors in Tancara, Betty Jaeger, Kurt and Pam, and the rest.

Her grandkids were spoiled with love, as well as any Dairy Queen treat they wanted, even for breakfast, the freezer was filled with all the mistakes from the store. She attended their activities as often as possible, taking them snowmobiling, to the cabin and several other trips.

She was so happy to see her grandson Travis marry Lyndsay, and meet their son Brody, born on Don's birthday in 2021 and watch her granddaughter Nicole buy her own home, and settle into her career.

She watched her granddaughter Heather marry her high-school sweetheart Warren Bezanson and she was blessed to make her goal to meet her Great-Grandson Logan B in early February 2022, she was able hold him 2 different times before she passed. We were lucky enough to get a 4 generation picture. She passed her sense of humor to her youngest grandson Andy Hislop, they shared the love of sports. She was delighted that Andy’s girlfriend Mardi like to bake, she made the delicious decorated cookies you will enjoy today.

Certain she would make her grandkids rich, she collected every beanie baby pre 2000 she could find.

They are still in pristine condition as she refused to get rid of her set. Any takers talk to Lori.

A true sports fan, she and Don enjoyed their Seahawk tickets in the Kingdome for 20 years. Thankfully she didn’t have the heartbreak of losing "her" Russell Wilson to Denver, nor to be disappointed by the Mariners yet again. She could not check out until the Superbowl, and Olympics were over.

An unknown new heart condition caused her fall and break her hip in October 2021, she went over to her daughter's in Bothell in December to have a repair surgery, unfortunately she was not strong enough to have it. Her final months were filled with visitors, phone and video calls. Lots of cards and letters which she treasured. She was truly loved and so very blessed

A Special thank you to Liz Henry and Kathy Smith who helped greatly in the final few weeks.

She passed at midnight on February 25th, listening to her favorite hymns.

In her honor, please say a prayer for world peace, and that we may be reunited, rather than divided as a nation.

Thank you so much for joining us and sharing in Virginia’s life.

Please come and see the pictures and video and enjoy the meal being served in fellowship hall.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.keithandkeith.com for the Christopher family.