Virginia P. Costley

Virginia P. Costley

Virginia P. Costley, formerly of Sarasota, Florida, Amherst, Massachusetts, McLean, Virginia, Warren, Pennsylvania, Carmel, California, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to name a few of her favorite places to live, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 21, 2009, at Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge.

She is survived by her loving husband of 72 years, Richard J. Costley.

She was born April 23, 1915, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the eldest of three children and only daughter of Grace Herron and Hugo C. Peterson. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by one brother, Dr. H. Harvey Peterson of Oakland, California.

After graduating from Utah State University where she and R.J. met, over the years she taught English and creative writing to senior high school students. She found moving from place to place to be difficult because of R.J.'s World War II and civilian career transfers but treasured the numerous life-long friends they made. Discovering this, travel near and far became a choice activity for Virginia.

Throughout her life, she enjoyed her gift for gardening. Her glance, her touch enriched both plants and flowers and her homes. She also was blessed with a lasting love of music and a passion for art and a well-written book. Except for her last move to Charlottesville, her piano always accompanied her.

Virginia is also survived by her cherished family members, a brother, Daryl E. Peterson and his wife, Mildred, of Salt Lake City, Utah; a daughter, Kay Robinson and her husband, Glen, of Charlottesville; two grandchildren, Jennifer A. Robinson of Brooklyn, New York and Dean C. Robinson and his wife, Kristin van Ogtrop, of Pelham, New York; three great-grandsons, Owen, Hugo and Axel Robinson, also of Pelham; and a host of nieces, great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family extends its heart-felt thanks and appreciation to the entire dedicated and caring staff of Westminster Canterbury. You make life worth living. A celebration of life will be scheduled in late November at Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge.

Hill and Wood Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.