Virginia I. Ribbel

Virginia I. Ribbel OCEANSIDE -- Virginia I. Ribbel passed away peacefully and surrounded by her family in Oceanside on Wednesday, October 6, 2010. She was born in 1913 to Katherine E. and Jewel Isaacson in San Diego. She graduated from Our Lady of Peace Academy and San Diego State College, where she majored in Art, swam competitively, and was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. Virginia was working at the 1935 Exposition in Balboa Park when she met and later married Arthur A. Ribbel, a UC Berkeley English and History graduate. They were married for 55 years. Arthur Ribbel was a San Diego Union Tribune journalist and Copley News Service Bureau Chief. They lived and raised two children, Arthur and Andrea, in Mission Beach. In 1959, they moved to Sacramento for Arthur's position with Copley. After retirement, Arthur wrote a column titled "Yesterday in The West," for the San Diego Union. His column appeared in the Sunday Travel section of the paper for seventeen years. Virginia did all the illustrations for Arthur's column, which was a source of joy, adventure and recognition for them both. She continued to live her life in that spirit even after Arthur's passing. Even into her 97th year of life, Virginia filled her days with her interests and friends. She was a passionate bridge player and belonged to many bridge groups over the years. She was also an award winning artist with work hung in numerous art galleries throughout California. She belonged to several art leagues and art organizations. She was fun, warm and wonderful. She will be greatly missed. Virginia is survived by her son, Arthur A. Ribbel (Patricia); daughter, Andrea Stare (Bob Freeman); and niece, Katie Eddy (Roland); as well as four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; one grandniece; one grandnephew; and four great-grandnieces and nephews. Virginia was preceded in death by her two brothers, Bud and Ed; and sister, Margaret. Her family would like to give their warmest thanks to all of her caregivers in the last five months of her life. There will be a memorial Mass celebrated at 11 a.m., Thursday, November 4, at the Mission San Luis Rey Chapel, 4050 Mission Ave., Oceanside, Calif. At 11:45 a.m., there will be a brief inurnment ceremony in the garden cemetery. A reception ceremony will be in the Clubhouse at Oceana East, 3088 Rosemary Way, Oceanside, Calif. Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com