Virginia Hotchkiss Obituary

Virginia T. Hotchkiss NORFOLK - Virginia Helen Tabet Hotchkiss, formerly of Norfolk, died Dec. 13, 2008, at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville.Mrs. Hotchkiss moved to Charlottesville in 1999 with her husband, Dr. William Stuart Hotchkiss, following his retirement from a long and distinguished career as a thoracic surgeon in the Tidewater area. Virginia Hotchkiss was born in Norfolk March 31, 1919, to George and Martha Tabet, who had emigrated to America from Lebanon in 1904. The youngest of seven siblings, Virginia and her family made their home on Gosnold Avenue in Norfolk. Her father delivered wood and sold ice and coal from a wagon. Virginia attended Norfolk city schools, graduating with highest honors from Maury High School and earning all A's in her school career. Her family established a successful electronics company in Norfolk - Tabet Manufacturing - that built and innovated electronic and defense-related equipment. Virginia attended the Graduate Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center in Philadelphia and earned a degree as a medical records librarian. Following graduation, she was employed in the medical records department of the Marine Hospital in Norfolk where, during World War II, she met and married her husband of 62 years, Dr. William Stuart Hotchkiss. Dr. Hotchkiss was serving as a physician in the Naval Coast Guard. The couple enjoyed a long and wonderful life together. Their war years found them stationed in Puerto Rico and in Boston. Following Dr. Hotchkiss's surgical training in Boston and Detroit, the couple settled in Norfolk. They traveled extensively with Dr. Hotchkiss's employment first in the governing body, and then as president of the American Medical Association. Virginia supported her husband during his long career both in private practice and in organized medicine. Virginia loved to collect American and English antiques, gardened enthusiastically and was a thorough-going reader. She was an inquisitive, steadfast and loving person. She devoted herself to her family and home with a single-minded energy and lasting good humor. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and six siblings. She is survived by her three children and six grandchildren. Her son, William Stuart Hotchkiss resides in Charlottesville as does her daughter, Mary Hotchkiss Leavell and her husband Byrd Stuart Leavell. Their children are Byrd Stuart Leavell III and his wife Alanna Stack Leavell of New York City and Virginia Hotchkiss Leavell and Ashby Leavell. Her son Dr. Richard Samuel Hotchkiss and his wife Claire Hotchkiss reside in Saint Louis, Mo. Their three children are Dr. William Richard Hotchkiss, Samuel Roy Hotchkiss and June Virginia Hotchkiss. To her family, Virginia Hotchkiss leaves a legacy of a life lived to the highest moral standards with unique dignity and grace. She was cherished and loved by everyone who knew her. A graveside service will be held Monday at Monticello Memory Gardens at 11 a.m. Contributions in her memory can be made to the Charlottesville - Albemarle Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 160, Charlottesville, VA 22902.

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Published by The Virginian-Pilot on Dec. 14, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Virginia Hotchkiss

2 Entries

Sam Tabet

December 14, 2008

To the Hotchkiss family...I am very sorry for your loss. I know it has been a very long time since we have spoken and I am very sad about that. It is a same it takes death to bring people together. If there is anything I can do from this end please do not hesitate to let me know. My son and I will add your mother to our prayers.

Chuck...thank you for your thoughts at this time!!! Other than this things are well here.

Charles Davis

December 14, 2008

I'm sitting here in Quito, where I retired a year ago, almost in tears thinking of your mother and my Mother, Becky Davis who died Sept. 6, 2006 in Norfolk. As you know, they were dear friends from our earliest memories. I am so sorry for your loss; I miss my Mother every single day as I am sure you will your mother. I have fond memories of you kids, your mother and father in that small house across the street from Meadowbrook School. That was a simpler and better time, wasn't it? Your mother is to be buried in my favorite place for that, Monticello Memorial Gardens, that I believe is across the road from Michie's Tavern. I would like to be brought home to that location when I die although I don't know that space is now available there. Such a gorgeous view looking out over Charlottesville. If you see Hughes Burton please give him my best wishes as we go back to weekend days when he and Pete Martone, Mike Cavish et al played pick-up football on the Meadowbrook playground. Hugo, as I called him, could kick the ball almost from the fence nearest your house to Little Creek Road! Also say high to "Tab" Tabet from the oceanfront. I knew him casually from Wareings Gym's old days when it was on 17th Street. The last time I saw him he had several beautiful, large dogs everywhere with him. The last time I saw your parents they stopped in their Corvette in front of my then townhouse across the street from the P.A.C.C., and we talked a while. Such lovely people that both my parents loved. My Mother never stopped talking about and referring to your mother whom she dearly loved. My love and best wishes to all you Hotchkisses. I remember you so well. Charles (Chuck) Davis

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