Virginia Illges Norman

Virginia Illges Norman, daughter of Abraham and Virginia Howard Illges, died in her home at 90 years of age on October 13, 2017. A graveside service is scheduled for 10:00 AM Monday, October 16 at Parkhill Cemetery with Reverend Joel Alvis, Jr presiding.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Francis; her two siblings Mary Lou Illges Brown and A. Illges, Jr; and is survived by her daughter, Betsy (Dan Mattox), and three sons, Alec (Carla), Dick (Sean), and Rob (Lindsay), her eleven grandchildren, Peter Franklin Overton (Linnet), Sara Catherine Overton, Francis Alexander Norman, IV (Thushara), Eleanor Virginia Norman, Virginia Ann Norman Purvis (Jake), Richard Illges Norman, Jr (Sally), John O’Brien Norman, Robinson M. Norman, Jr, Frances Norman, Alex K. Wasily, Jesse K. Wasily, and two great-grandchildren, Abigail Day Overton and Hudson Eliot Overton. We are grateful for all the caregivers who have supported her during this time, especially Gina Snipes and LaTracy Dean.

Ginna was born in Columbus, Georgia, on December 19, 1926. After graduating from Columbus High School, she attended Sweetbriar College in Lynchburg, Virginia, where she earned a BA in French and in Chemistry. Following her marriage to Francis in 1950, she lived for a short time in San Francisco and Atlanta before returning to settle in Columbus in 1952. Here she became a dedicated member of the community, bringing warmth and engagement to her many long friendships and generating enthusiasm for her many areas of interest. She continued her mother's passion for bringing the arts to Columbus through her support of the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts and helped begin the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University. Her love of books and education led to her becoming a founding trustee of Brookstone School, a position she held until her death.

She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Junior League, and Junto Club. The optimism, humor, wisdom, and kindness she shared with her four children and their families will remain an enduring gift for them, and her life an example to all who would endeavor to live with grace, cheerfulness, and a boundless intellectual curiosity.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Columbus Hospice, Brookstone School, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, and PAWS Columbus.