Virginia McCoy Britt

August 21, 1921 - February 28, 2025

Tumwater, Washington - Virginia Lucille McCoy Britt was born in 1921, in Montesano, Washington, to Clyde M. McCoy and Julia (Baila) McCoy. Her family lived between Montesano, Puyallup and Aberdeen until 1931, when they moved to Olympia. She graduated from Olympia High School in 1939.

Virginia attended Washington State College for one year after high school graduation, and then worked for the Washington State Tax Commission (now known as the Department of Revenue).

Shortly after Pearl Harbor, to help with the War effort she joined the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in 1942, but was not called into active duty until January, 1943. She was one of the first women in the Olympia area to join the military service. When the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps became part of the U. S. Army during World War II, she re-enlisted, and was in the military service for three years. She kept in contact with women she served with for over 60 years, and attended several WAC reunions, one in Texas, one in Tennessee and one in Washington, D.C.

After being discharged from the Army in January, 1946, she returned to Olympia and again went to work for the Washington State Tax Commission until September, when she returned to Washington State College, using her G. I. Bill of Rights. At the beginning of the school year, she met Theo V. Britt, who she married in Olympia in August 1947.

Virginia and Theo moved back to the Olympia area in 1961. They both worked for the State of Washington and retired in 1982. They were married for over 50 years and loved family gatherings and picnics, dancing, traveling and gardening.

Virginia was a devoted member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Olympia for over fifty years. She was also a member of The Mother Church, the first Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, Massachusetts.

She was active in the YMCA for many years and enjoyed classes in water aerobics, land aerobics, ballet and tap dancing.

She is survived by two daughters, Julie Mae Britt Oline of Tumwater and Janice Lee Britt, of the Olympia. She was preceded in death by her husband, Theo V. Britt, her Father, Mother, two sisters and three brothers.

She died peacefully, in her sleep at Sunrise Haven nursing home in Kent, Washington on February 28, 2025. She was 103 years old. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.