Virginia Benedict, age 91, of Burlington, passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at Skagit Valley Hospital on Thursday, July 6, 2017.

Born Mary Virginia Brem on April 15, 1926, in Woodsboro, TX, to Mannon Edward Brem and Elmina Josephine (Autry) Brem, she spent her early years in Woodsboro. Later, she moved with her family to San Marcos, Texas, where she attended schools and graduated from San Marcos High School. She attended Texas State College in her hometown after graduating high school.

On June 1, 1946, she married Don Huber Benedict, Jr. Don was an Idahoan who was stationed in Virginia's hometown at the end of WWII. The couple lived for a short time in Moscow, Idaho, but soon returned to Texas, living in both San Marcos and Pasadena. In 1947, they welcomed their first child, Darrell. In 1947, Don accepted a position at Shell Oil Co., and moved to Anacortes in 1955, when the new refinery was opened.

Virginia once told Don that she would follow him to the ends of the earth and joked that she initially felt Anacortes fit that description.

In 1956, they welcomed their second child, Dana.

They were members of the Anacortes United Methodist Church, and Virginia was active in the Order of the Eastern Star and Soroptimists. She was office manager for Dr. Thomas Brooks in Anacortes for seventeen years and knew many people in the Anacortes community from working in her position. Her forté was bookkeeping and she was known as an expert in insurance codes and billing.

In 1990, Virginia and Don moved to Mount Vernon. She loved antiquing, and especially enjoyed adding to her extensive Westmoreland milk glass collection and working crossword puzzles to keep her mind sharp. After Don's retirement, they enjoyed traveling to New York City, Washington, DC, Branson, and New England. One of her fondest memories was traveling to Harrison Hot Springs with her children and their spouses to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary with Don.

Virginia had a quick wit and was affectionately known as a “spitfire” by her family. She loved connecting with people and willingly opened her home to relatives who were facing difficult times. Many of her children's friends considered Virginia their second mother. Above all else, her family was everything. Her children and grandchildren considered her a rock and a loving support throughout their lives.

Virginia is survived by her constant caregiver and companion, her sweetheart for over 71 years, husband Don, at home in Burlington; her son Darrell Benedict and wife Evonne of Bellevue; her daughter Dana Chrysler and husband Gary of Mount Vernon; three grandchildren: Michael Benedict and wife Laura of Milan, Italy, Logan Benedict and fiancé Sarah of Orlando, Florida and Ariel Lepore and husband James of Mount Vernon; five great-grandchildren: Faolan, Gaia and Ella Benedict; and Dorothy and Marina Lepore; also, numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mannon and Mina Brem, her sister, Willa Marie Brem, brother, Allan Brem, sister Eloise McDowell, and sister Evelyn Noack.

A Graveside Service will be Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 1:00 PM at Grandview Cemetery in Anacortes, Pastor Nick Harris officiating. Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association, 2815 Eastlake Avenue E., Seattle, WA 98102. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com.

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