The world lost a great lady on Tuesday, February 16, 2022. The world’s greatest friend, aunt, sister, wife and by far, the world’s greatest mother. Virginia “Jeanie” S. Figueroa was born in Wichita, KS on August 17, 1941, to Antonio and Angela Navarro. The second youngest of ten children, Jeanie and her family lived in a railroad car in the North End of Wichita known as “The Yarda.” She attended grade school at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and high school at Sacred Heart Academy. Eventually, the family moved to a home located on N. Waco St., in the heart of the North End.
Even though, neighbors petitioned against the family moving into the neighborhood, that did not stop them from settling in and joining the many other Mexican American families determined to make a successful and meaningful life in Wichita.
Jeanie married Julian Figueroa (Mountain View, CA) on September 3, 1967, and together they had six children, Tony, Gabriel, Amy, Karla, Daniel, and Gregorio. Jeanie and Julian were blessed with nine grandchildren: Gabriel Figueroa, Jr., Isaiah and Arella Figueroa, Sophia, Manuel and Miguel Cobos, Jonah and Dominic McNutt, and Aelynn Figueroa and sons-in-law Manuel Cobos and Derrick McNutt. Jeanie’s love for her children, grandchildren and sons-in-law knew no bounds and her generosity, affection, and support for all of them will be greatly missed.
Learned from her father, Antonio, who worked on the Santa Fe railroad and her mother, Angela, who was a homemaker, Jeanie’s hardworking mentality led her to a successful career as a medical transcriptionist. During her years as a transcriptionist, she worked at most of the hospitals in the Wichita metro, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, St. Francis Medical Center, Wesley Medical Center and retired in 2016. Jeanie made numerous friends during her years as a transcriptionist and those friendships continued even when they were no longer working together.
Jeanie was preceded in death by her brothers, Frank, Felix, Auggie, Bobby, Ignacio and Raymond and sisters Helen Chavez and Francis Palacio. She is survived by one sister Anita Graham who will continue to cherish her memory. Jeanie was loved and adored by her entire extended family which includes numerous nieces, nephews and grandnieces and nephews.
Jeanie enjoyed spending time cooking in her kitchen and her food was an expression of love to her kids, grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews and friends. The kitchen was the center place of the household and as many family and friends experienced, often turned into a dance floor during many family gatherings. Jeanie loved listening to music while she cooked for her family and would play her CDs while cooking. Whether it was Elton John, The Beatles, The Traveling Wilbury’s, Milli Vanilli, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, or Donna Summer, Jeanie always had music on and often we would find her dancing in her kitchen, palote in hand while making homemade tortillas.
She was a joy to be around, and the immense hole left in our lives will never be filled. Strength, beauty, class, perseverance, grace and compassion are just a few of the words which to describe this beautiful soul. We love you, Mom. Thank you for everything.
