Virginia Maria Anderson

1935 - 2025

Newcastle - Virginia Maria (Thomas) Anderson, age 90, of Newcastle, WA, died on August 1, 2025 in Bellevue, WA. Affectionately known as "Gin" or "Grandma Gin," she was beloved by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and by her large extended family. Born in April 1935, Virginia was adopted at birth by Thyra Maria (Lindh) and Durwood Virgil Thomas and was their only child. Raised in Burlington, WA, she graduated from Burlington-Edison High School and attended Skagit Valley College where she studied art and literature. Virginia and her husband Bob met and eloped in 1955. They reared six children, and Bob's work moved the family more than a dozen times around the United States and to and from Japan. In the 1980's, they moved back to the Seattle area and Virginia lived in Newcastle for the rest of her life. Virginia was devoted to her children's and grandchildren's activities and education, her artistic pursuits in painting and writing, and her love of gardening, cooking, and travel. Creative and entrepreneurial, Virginia was an award winning artist, and showed her paintings at the Seattle Design Center, Overlake Hospital, King County Libraries, the Renton Annual Fine Arts Show, and the Washington State Fair. She founded two businesses, DogTogs and the Greater Seattle Slug Co., based on her designs for dog apparel and stuffed animals. She wrote children's stories, a novel, and a cookbook. Virginia was a member of Phi Mu Fraternity, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, and Girl Scouts USA where she was awarded Outstanding Volunteer. Virginia was a member of St. Madeleine Sophie Catholic Parish in Bellevue, WA. An enthusiastic Seahawks and Mariners fan, Virginia will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor and her love of laughter, dogs, and a hot cup of coffee. Preceded in death by her husband Robert H. Anderson and sons Michael and John, Virginia is survived by her children Roxann Whitaker (Warren), Adrienne Smith (Jeff), Robert Anderson Jr. (Karen), and Sunny McClure, by her grandchildren Madeline Steinberg, Malcolm Steinberg, Stephanie Smith, Danny Smith, Jonny Smith (Rachel), Tommy Smith, Steffen Hefley, Sarah McCaffrey (Mickey), Robert Gelson (Breia Germany), Michelle Anderson Reaves (Brandon), Jeremy Anderson (Allison), and Zoe Zebe, and by her great-grandchildren, Landon, Liam, Eden Bell, Aurora Jo, Jake Kelley, John Hunter, Aydon, Leo, and London. We will miss her love, laughter, optimism, and dedication to her family. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 11 a.m., Hawthorne Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 1825 E College Way, Mount Vernon, WA, followed by a graveside service at 1 p.m., Saxon Cemetery, 1236 Bowman Rd., Acme, WA. A reception will follow at Acme Presbyterian Church, 2054 Valley Hwy, Deming, WA, from 2 to 4 p.m. On Sunday, September 28, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., a service of remembrance will be held at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, 4228 Factoria Blvd SE, Bellevue, WA. To make gifts in her memory, please consider donations to girlscouts.org or the Evergreen Association of Fine Arts, EAFA.org. Please share your thoughts and sign the online guest register at www.hawthornefh.com