Virginia A. Richards

VIRGINIA A. (DURKEE) RICHARDS
October 16, 1912 ~ July 01, 2011

Virginia Richards died Friday, July 1st at the age of 98. She was born and raised in Battle Ground, WA where her father, R. S. Durkee worked a modest farm and was involved in the public schools. When asked why he was 'wasting' money during the heart of the Great Depression by sending his two daughters, Virginia and Dorothy (Harris), to college, her father replied that he preferred that his grandchildren be raised by educated women.

Virginia graduated from Willamette University in 1933 with a degree in education. Her plans for a career as a teacher were waylaid when she fell under the spell of an aspiring journalist, Leverett Richards, who went on to enjoy a long, illustrious career in journalism at the Portland Oregonian. They married in 1934. Virginia then focused on their growing family. When World War II engulfed our country, Leverett volunteered to serve in the Army Air Corp as a (unpaid) civilian flight instructor. Virginia took over his old job as a reporter for a local newspaper in order to support their family of two small children until his commission came through.

After the war, they built a house in Vancouver, WA on Buena Vista Dr. overlooking the Columbia River. There, Leverett could keep an eye on activities at the Portland International Airport while writing in his study and Virginia had lots of space for the gardens that were her passion.

Once her children were in high school, Virginia finally began her long delayed career in public education. She was on the staff at Hudson Bay High School for 17 years both as a teacher and as a student counselor. Throughout her life in Vancouver, Virginia was active in community affairs. She was a member of The American Rhododendron Society, Columbia View Garden Club, League of Women Voters, and the American Association of University Women. She did volunteer work with the Red Cross, the American Association of Retarded Citizens, and the Grandview Group Home.

In 2009, Virginia left her home of 65 years and moved to Sequim, WA where she settled into a retirement community close to her son and daughter-in-law. This also made it possible to see and enjoy her twin great grand children.

Virginia is survived by her son, Durkee Richards and his wife, Mary Jeanne, of Sequim; her grandson Trevor Richards and his wife Anne Myers in St. Paul, MN; her grandson Bradley Richards, his wife Holly Boaz and their twins Charlie & Flora in Vashon, WA; and her two nieces Kathie (Harris) Goetsch and Barbara (Harris) Eisenberg and their families.

In keeping with Virginia's wishes, there will be no funeral service. However, she lives on in our hearts and in the gardens of those fortunate enough to have a Virginia Richards Rhododendron, named in her honor by Mr. Whitney.

Please sign Virginia's Guest Book at www.columbian.com/obits.