Virginia I. Durham

Virginia was released from the confusion and struggles of advanced Alzheimer's disease when she passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 17, 2011 at Timber Ridge in Eureka. She is now free to make new friends in a better place. Virginia Bolin was born in Long View, Washington on August 14, 1928 to Harry and Ruth (Waterman) Bolin and was the youngest of four children. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Vincent E. Bolin and Kenneth Bolin; and her sister Marguerite Clark. She is survived by her husband Douglas Durham of Eureka; nephews Richard O'Neil of Spokane, Washington and Ronald Bolin of Casper, Wyoming; and sisters-in-law Judy Bonds of Eureka and Georgia Woodall of Springfield, TN. After graduating from Kelso Washington High School in 1946 Virginia moved to San Francisco where she worked for Pacific Bell while attending Lux College. Following her graduation in 1949 with an AA degree in Dental Assisting Virginia worked for Dr. Martin Guttman in San Francisco for almost twenty years. Always looking for new challenges, Virginia took up skin diving in 1962 and met her husband-to-be, Doug Durham, an aerospace engineer and diving instructor. When Dr. Guttman moved his practice to San Raphael, Virginia moved to Menlo Park where she worked for several dentists. In 1966 Virginia and Doug got married in Nashville, Tennessee and in 1968 purchased a home in Mountain View, California where they lived for over 35 years. Shortly after marriage, Virginia began teaching dental assisting and attended San Francisco City College where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Vocational Education. For many years she taught at the Regional Vocational Training Center in San Jose where she wrote a book on dental X-Rays, A Course of Instruction in Oral Radiography, which was published by University of California in 1972. Virginia and Doug both retired in 1989, but she missed teaching and for several years taught a special licensing course on dental radiography at several local colleges and was authorized to sign the state license forms. Virginia loved to travel and during the summers went with Doug on business trips all over the United States. Boston, Hilton Head and Indiana were among her favorites. They also took many trips to Europe and Mexico and she was able to take her sister on a cruise to Alaska. Virginia kept busy volunteering in Mountain View and was on the board of the Friends of the Library and ran the book sales for many years. She was a gracious and charming hostess and loved to cook and entertain. In 2004 Virginia and Doug moved to Eureka and bought a home in the Westgate area. Virginia enjoyed attending the Alzheimer's Day Care Program at the Humboldt Senior Resource Center where her smile and outgoing personality made her many friends among staff and clients. When she could no longer stay at home, Virginia moved to the Renaissance section of Timer Ridge. The management, nurses, and staff at both the Adult Day Program and Renaissance, and during the later stages of the disease, Hospice of Humboldt made life easier for both Virginia and Doug. She will be missed by all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humboldt Senior Resource Center and Hospice of Humboldt. Arrangements are under the care of Pierce Mortuary Chapel, Eureka, CA 707-442-3751, www.piercemortuarychapels.com.

Published in Eureka Times-Standard on January 23, 2011