EAST PEORIA - Virginia Anderson, 93, of East Peoria died Sunday afternoon, Feb. 9, 2014, at UnityPoint Health-Proctor.Our beautiful and beloved mother, she lived her life with integrity, strength and optimism until the very end. Her heartbroken family includes four daughters, Julie Anderson of Birmingham, Ala., Linda (Vern) Goodell of Kickapoo, Ill., Leah (James) Mullarkey of Littleton, Colo., and Laurie (Thomas) O'Brien of Beaverton, Ore.; and five grandchildren, Jason and Josh (Rebecca) Goodell, Toby Mullarkey, Neil O'Brien and Gwen O'Brien.She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Warner "Andy" Anderson, of 58 years; one sister; and one brother.Our mother's first priority was her family. She always treated us with love and respect. She encouraged us to be the best that we could be, to share our gifts and resources with others and to enjoy our own adventures. We are proud to be her legacy.Mom loved to read, and continued her love of books through talking books when she could no longer see to read. She loved to play games, especially pinochle. She enjoyed her friends and was always concerned about their well-being. Her creativity was an inspiration. She enjoyed traveling, and she was always thrilled by the number of places she visited. She continued to travel to see her children and grandchildren until very recently.Mom was born in Peoria, Ill., on July 20, 1920, to Charles T. and Hazel B. Ricketts. She graduated from Peoria High School and then worked in the advertising department of Caterpillar Tractor Company. She met our Dad at a backyard wedding and dance. They were married on Dec. 12, 1948. She left the work force for several years and focused on raising her four daughters. She was an active and supportive member of Westminster Presbyterian Church as a Deaconess and served on the Properties Committee. She was an active volunteer and leader in the Caterpillar Retirees Club and her daughters' activities, including Girl Scouts and 4-H. She was in the Peoria Area Color Shooter's Camera Club and the Central Illinois Camera Club Association. In the late 1970s, she began working for Whittier School in the lunch program. She loved the Whittier kids and her school friends. In her retirement years, she traveled with our Dad and gave love and counsel to her family and remained a devoted member of Westminster Presbyterian Church.The visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, and the service will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Dr. Robert Bardeen will officiate. Our family suggests that remembrances be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church. A luncheon at the church will be held immediately after services. Entombment will be in Springdale Mausoleum.To view Virginia's memorial website, please go to www.davison-fulton.com.
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