Virginia Morrissey

Virginia Givens Morrissey aka “Nana” or “Aunt Virginia” was born in Stanford, Kentucky to Sowyel and Virginia Smith on March 7, 1923. She moved with her parents from Kentucky to California as an infant. Her family settled in Hollywood. She was pre-deceased by her younger brother, Gatewood Givens Smith.

She was married for 61 years to John Webster Morrissey. They married in July 1943 on the Santa Ana Army base shortly before John left to serve in the Air Force as a pilot in WW II. John and Virginia were blessed with two children; Christopher Michael and Linda Lee. The family resided in Inglewood, then later Pacoima before moving to El Cajon in 1956. They lived in the same house in El Cajon for 36 years. They were members of Evangelical Bible Church for over 20 years (now Helix Bible Church). After retirement, they moved to Leisure World and resided there from 1992 to 2003. They returned to San Diego as John became ill and they needed to be closer to family.

Throughout her life “Nana” enjoyed caring for her family, gardening, golfing, attending church and hosting In-Home Bible Studies. She was an amazing homemaker and her family always enjoyed her gift of hospitality. The summer of 1966 Nana began to look for a part time job. On October 17th, 1966, John’s sister and her husband were killed in a tragic auto accident. John and Virginia’s path suddenly became very clear. Her three nieces and one nephew came to live with them in El Cajon and Nana continued to pursue her calling as a homemaker. Dorothy, Patti, Vicky and John Gross became a second family to Virginia and John.

As Nana grew older, she suffered with memory loss and moved in with her granddaughter and family. Nana was blessed to live with Wendy, Nick and Nicole for five years before needing 24/7 care in a professional memory care setting.

Virginia is survived by her son Chris (Sheila), and daughter Linda Walling, as well as four grandchildren; Michael (Louise) Walling, Wendy (Nick) Carrubba, Kelly (Chris) Daniel, and Laura (Matthew) Krebs. She was blessed with five great grandchildren; John Walling, Nicole Carrubba, Julia Krebs, Alex Daniel and Emma Krebs. She will be in our hearts forever.

A celebration of life will be held in her honor on September 17th at 11:00 a.m. at Helix Bible Church, 8742 Lemon Avenue, La Mesa. Luncheon reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Helix Bible Church for their missions outreach.