Virginia Fromm

Virginia Maude Smith, remembered for a legacy of prayer and trusting in Jesus, has passed on to heaven. Born December 22, 1924 in Ventura, California, the first child of Charles and Maude Smith, died May 6, 2012 in her home in Modesto, CA after a short battle with cancer. In 1962 Virginia and husband Robert Fromm moved with their four sons from Pomona, CA to Modesto, CA. Virginia's active life in Modesto included playing the piano for her church; teaching children to read and assisting with musical productions at Bret Harte (1968-1969) and Orville Elementary School (1969-1995); and working with pregnant teens at Elliot (1995-1998). Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Maude Smith; brother, Bill; and husband, Robert. She will be greatly missed by brothers, Chuck and Paul; sons, Robert, Chuck, Gary, Rick, and their wives; 11 grandchildren; great-granddaughter, Tessa; and companion, Chet Baker. Virginia will also be missed by a multitude of family, friends, and "sister chicks." She never knew a stranger. Even after her husband's passing in 1997, Virginia continued her energetic involvement and travels with friends, family, and church groups, living out her life motto, "Jesus never fails." Virginia wrote in her will, "I want people to remember that I love Jesus and am a follower of Him. I want to be remembered as a good mother to my children and grandmother to my grandchildren. I wanted to be a good, loyal friend; a good sister to my brothers and their wives and aunt to their children."