Virginia Rees

1921 - 2018

Virginia Rees
February 4, 1921 - February 2, 2018
Virginia Rees died on February 2, 2018, two days before her 97th birthday, fully engaged with life until the end. She was born in Aiken, South Carolina, on February 4, 1921, to John and Norma Mitchell. Virginia lived in South Carolina through her graduation from the Columbia University School of Nursing in April 1943, in the midst of World War II.
From 1944 through 1946, Virginia was proud to serve as a flight nurse in the Army Air Forces, where she attained the rank of lieutenant. Following her military service, she began her civilian career as a registered nurse in a Chicago hospital and then in a doctor's office in California, working for the doctors with whom she had served in the military.
It was in San Diego, California, where Virginia met her husband of 59 years, Jim Rees. They were married in 1948, and their two daughters, Diane and Margaret (Peg) were born during the following two years. Virginia was extremely proud of both Diane, a teacher and retired superintendent of Sonoma County's Rincon Valley Union School District, and Peg, a geoscience professor and a vice provost at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Jim and Virginia moved to Modesto, California, in 1952 to join family. Shortly thereafter, she began a twenty-seven-year career as a school nurse for the Modesto City Schools. Characterized by a strong work ethic and high standards, Virginia was one of the early women to successfully combine career and family.
Virginia and Jim worked very hard, but always made time for fun and recreation. Her competitive nature led to awards in both bowling and her true passion, golf. They were longtime members of the Spring Creek Golf and Country Club, where she participated in the ladies' traveling league.
Following her retirement in 1979, Jim and Virginia began traveling throughout North America. Their love of golf attracted them to Desert Hot Springs where they helped develop and build a large mobile home park, and subsequently spent winters for over ten years. They also took much-anticipated fishing trips throughout California and annual crabbing trips to Washington with friends.
After more than 50 years in Modesto, in 2006, Jim's illness brought them to Santa Rosa to be close to their daughter Diane and her family. Following Jim's death a year later, the Oakmont bridge community welcomed Virginia, who was an avid and successful player. She developed close friendships with her partner, Jean McWhorter, and others in her bridge groups.
Virginia is survived by her daughters, Diane J. Moresi (Robert) of Santa Rosa California, and Margaret N. (Peg) Rees (Sharon K. Schafer) of Henderson, Nevada; grandchildren, Steven R. Moresi (Julie) and Laura D. McNeill (Jock); great-grandchildren, Molly and Ella McNeill and Elliana and Emerson Moresi; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. She was predeceased by two brothers and one sister.
The family would like to acknowledge niece Margo Cushing and her husband Bob of Oakdale, California, for their many years of love and devotion to Virginia, and recognize Cynthia Denenholz, of Santa Rosa, California, a lifelong friend of the family, for her continual support and loving concern.
A memorial service honoring Virginia will be held on Sunday, February 25, 2018, at 2:00 PM at Daniel's Chapel of the Roses, 1225 Sonoma Avenue, Santa Rosa, California. A gathering immediately following the service will be held at Virginia's home.
Interment with military honors will be at Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi, California, on Monday, February 26, 2018, at 11 AM.
In honor of the importance of Virginia's nursing career in her life, donations may be made to the Santa Rosa Junior College Nursing Program through the Santa Rosa Junior College Foundation.
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