 At the age of 94, Virginia Marie Michael passed away peacefully June 9, 2012 at Forestview. She was an accomplished, unassuming woman who came from humble beginning, an Edinboro farm family in horse and plow days during the Depression. The eldest of six children, she did well in school and had many friends whose close friendship has lasted into their ripe old age. Throughout her senior year at Edinboro High School, and by virtue of her good character, pleasant, mature personality and excellent skills, she assisted her family financially by working as a live-in "nanny" for the Doucette family, helping to care for their five children. Mrs. Doucette very kindly allowed Virginia to stay after school regularly in order to participate in the school orchestra, glee club and school plays. After graduation, Virginia entered nurses training at Hamot Hospital, completing her R.N. degree in 1938. She was immediately hired as supervisor of a wing at Hamot Hospital. Two years later she married a "Fairview boy," Richard Michael, the cousin of one of her nursing school classmates. The following year they had their first child, Jeanne, and about three years later a son, Robert. Except when the children were quite young she worked most of her adult life as a nurse, in addition to being an excellent homemaker. Virginia had many friends and could always be counted on to lend a helping hand as needed, be it an illness, the arrival of a baby, a move to a new home, or whatever. She and her husband were also active members of the Erie Unitarian Church and served there in various capacities. Most important, they were loving parents who valued education, had a sense of humor, never disparaged others, and made sacrifices to benefit their children and grandchildren. Unfortunately her husband passed away in 1971, after 31 years of marriage. With the loving support of her son and his wife, Colleen, Virginia was able to enjoy the last twenty years of her life in residence at Springhill. She had many friends there and was an active member of that community, including a term as member and secretary of the Residents Council. She was also a good cook, and her children and grandchildren frequently requested her recipes and advice on how to prepare favorites. Virginia is survived by her daughter, Jeanne (Ralph) Cebulla of Hiram, Ohio; her son Robert (Colleen) Michael, The Villages, Fla.; four grandchildren; David Michael, San Diego, Cal.; Daniel Michael, Denver, Colo.; Coleen (Ted) Cebulla-Donley, Columbus, Ohio; Theo (Heather) Cebulla, Hiram, Ohio; two great-grandchildren, Mason & Hallie Cebulla, Hiram, Ohio; her brother Glade (Donna) Wright, Edinboro, Pa.; two sisters; Bladen Bull and Kaye Green, Mesa, Ariz; and numerous nieces and nephews. There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial Remembrance on Monday, June 18, at 2 p.m. in the Community Room at Springhill, 2323 Edinboro Road, Erie. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either; the Unitarian Universalist Church, 7180 Perry Highway Erie, PA 16509 or to Springhill. Arrangements are under the care of the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd. , Erie, PA 16504. Please visit www.schmidtfuneralhomeerie.com to sign the Book of Memories.
Published in the Erie Times-News on June 16, 2012
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