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Virginia Vlantis Obituary
SOUTH BEND - Virginia, "Thistle" to her family, has gone to be with her Maker in peace and comfort. She passed away suddenly due to complications in her lifelong battle with a rare form of histiocytosis. In her death as in her life she shone as a golden glow in our lives. She possessed an angelic grace that carried her through all the adversity. Her heart continues to shine on. Thistle will be remembered with love and joy by her mother, Penny Cline; her father and stepmother, William and Gayle Vlantis; Lily Anna Cline, her sister and best friend; her grandparents, Michael and Patricia Vlantis, with whom she made so many memories. She is also in the hearts of grandparents, Wayne and Lanita Cline; Aunt Terry Cline; Aunt Kay and Uncle Kent Womack; Uncle Bob and Aunt Brenda Cline; Uncle John and Aunt Madeline Vlantis; cousins, Jennifer and Michael Krill, Alexandra and Harrison Womack, Randy Cline, Elaine Weger and many others in this tightly knit family. Thistle continues to be loved by her extended family, the Joseph Horvath family and the many friends who shared in her life. Virginia was a junior at Washington High School in South Bend, a Twenty-first Century Scholar, and hoped to be a veterinarian technician one day. She was an excellent cook and loved trying new recipes. Her apple pie was perfect! Donations may be made to the Histiocyte Society (www.histio.org, click "Get Involved") or Riley Children's Hospital (www.rileychildrenshospital.com ) in her name. Our Memorial Celebration of Thistle's life will be held in Broadway Christian Parish, 1412 S. Carroll, South Bend, at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18th.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Virginia Vlantis
Bill and Nancy Bradley
November 2, 2008
Dear Penny and William, You may not remember the Bradleys from Park Ave Church of Christ because it has been a lot of years since we've seen each other,but I wanted to let you know how saddened we were by the news of Thistle's death! We remember how excited everyone was when we learned you were expecting! When she was born, I remember Thistle's birth announcement that you designed with a beautiful thistle bloom on it that you had drawn. What I remember about baby Thistle are her big beautiful eyes and how she
always seemed to be looking around ,taking every thing in.She was a sweet baby as I recall. I'm sorry we didn't have the opportunity to know her as she grew into a sweet young lady,which i'm sure she was because her mother was!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all others in Thistle's family.
Bill and Nancy Bradley
Terry Cline
October 22, 2008
Dear Penny, Lily, William and Gayle,
My heart goes out to you. I will always treasure Thistle and the wonderful memories we made. My life is all the sweeter for her, my sweet girl. Bless you all. Love, Aunt Terry
Nancy Campbell
October 20, 2008
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss of Thistle.
She was a beautiful girl.
You will be in my thoughts & prayers.
Sara Love
October 18, 2008
Dear Penny Jo, William and Gayle,
We will continue to hold Thistle in our hearts. We love you and extend our sympathy to you, your family and fiends.
Sara Love and John Trittipo
Jennifer Ikerd-Watters
October 17, 2008
Dear Penny, I was so sorry to hear Thistle passed, I couldn't believe it. I want you to know I'll be thinking and praying for you. I know you have suffered greatly already. I remember when you put me between you and Linda Speight at Park Aveune Church of Christ when Don Loftus was the minister and I became saved by you. Then when you had Thistle William won't come to church with you and you brought your baby alone. You gave your daughter the best gift of all, you taught how to pray and to walk with Jesus in her spirit. I know you will see her agian. After all I'm also a jewel in your crown even though you may have forgotten me. I am a mother now of a 17 year old. The LORD will guide my prayers in the Holy Spirit and I know you will see her in your dreams. Love, Jenny
p.s. I used to work in Registration at the IMA when Will and Jesse worked together. You and Linda would come in from time to time to see your husbands. I had just gotten over cancer when I met you. Love, Jenny
Dawn Williams
October 17, 2008
Penny and Lily
You are in our hearts and prays. Guff and myself were very upset to hear about it. I'm very greatful that you lived across the street from me, to were I got to meet you all. We all had some good times. I miss the girls for a good long time now. But I wanted to tell you sorry about Thistle she always put a smile on my face, and she did too. I came across the photos of you and the girls taken me to Morris Center If you would like a copy of them please let me know. If you need any thing please let me know Dawn Guff Williams [email protected]
Tad Fruits
October 17, 2008
I have no adequate words to express the loss of a wonderful young woman I was so fortunate to have known for too brief a time. Please know you are thought of with great love and thank you for sharing your dear daughter with all of us, as our lives will continue to be blessed with her lovely memory.
Bob and Shelly Clayton
October 16, 2008
Dear Penny, Lily and your entire family,
We are so very sad to learn that Thistle passed away. We have many good memories of time spent with Penny and the girls. I still have a piece of art work in my hope chest that Thistle made me when she was a little girl. You are all in our prayers and we are grieving with you. May God comfort you with many beautiful memories of your precious girl. Love, Bob, Shelly, Evan, Nathan and Jacob
Jennifer and Mike Krill
October 16, 2008
If tears could build a stairway,
And memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to Heaven
And bring you home again.
Penny and Lily we love you very much!!!! Thistle will always be missed and in our hearts.
David Chalfie
October 16, 2008
William, Gayle and Penny,
I extend my deepest condolences for the loss of your daughter. May your family and friends bring you peace in this difficult time.
Jeff and Kathi Van Marter
October 15, 2008
Thistle's Family - Our condolences for your loss. We know that you will all miss her deeply. May God bless you in this time of sorrow.
Mike Bir
October 15, 2008
Dear Penny, William, Gayle, and family,
Even in the clearness of day I cannot understand, but I am not called to understand. I’m called to love. In this way I will celebrate and be thankful for the blessing Thistle is for her family and friends. I celebrate also her good fortune of knowing you. I pray for God’s consolation for you all.
katlynn vanator
October 14, 2008
I am very sorry that Thistle had died so young i would have took her place because she was the person i could tell things to and i really LOVED her with all my heart. love kate
Linda Speight
October 14, 2008
Penny Jo and William & Gayle,
Our hearts are broken but we share with you, your family, and so many others the privilege of having known and loved your beautiful Thistle. Our memories are mostly of her as a little girl but she built a place in our hearts that we'll treasure forever. I always remember holding her in my arms as a little baby with those beautiful, soulful eyes looking back at me...falling in love with this little bundle, the daughter of our dear friends...babysitting with her and watching her grow and learn and play. It was no surprise to hear about the glow and grace she had as a young woman because it was so clear in her, even as a little child. How perfect, too, that she made great apple pie. If I remember, as a toddler that's what she wanted to name her first new cat!
We have a favorite little picture of Thistle that has stayed on our refrigerator all these years. She's probably about 1 year old, wearing a pretty little coat and her daddy's big hat and looking wise beyond her years. That picture will stay where it is, just as Thistle will always live in our hearts. We're thankful for God's blessing of sharing her with us and we pray that her strength and grace will be a lasting gift to all of you. We keep you in our warmest thoughts and we pray that God will help you sense how very close He is and how deeply He cares.
With my love and prayers,
Bert Reader
October 14, 2008
All, For 17 years you were blessed with a shining light. There is truly one more beautiful angel before our Lord in Heaven. Our family will be out of town on October 26, but our thoughts and prayers will be with you.
The Readers
Susie (LaTour) Strong
October 14, 2008
William and Penny,
I am so saddened and sorry to hear about Thistle. She was such a joy and so precious to babysit. Dave and I along with Brandon and Kandi loved having her with us all those months. She just "fit" into our family. I remember how she loved to "swim" at the pool. She would just giggle and splash. She thought it was all very funny. She always had the brightest smile for anyone she knew when they came in and for you both when you would pick her up. She was a joy and we loved her. My heart and prayers go out for all of you.
Norman & Deborah Brennan II
October 14, 2008
Penny Jo, William and Family: We are so sorry for the loss of Thistle. We will always carry her in our hearts for she was such a loving and sensitive child. All who knew her will greatly miss her. Our deepest condolence to all of you.
Mark Norton
October 14, 2008
William, I am so very sorry. My thoughts and deepest prayer is with all of your family. I know I only got to see Thistle a couple of times at best, and she would have been so young. I will be thinking of you as you go through this struggle and sorrow my friend.
Lea and Adam Silverman
October 14, 2008
Dear Gayle and William,
We have been thinking of your family daily. I remember seeing Thistle and William at family dinners and the special father /daughter relationship they had. I always admired that. She was such a sweet girl and will be missed so much.
Sean Tucker
October 14, 2008
William and Gayle (and Thistle's loved ones), I am terribly saddened to learn of her passing. Though I only met her a couple of times briefly, I sensed that she had a special quality that I know will surely be missed. May you all find the strength and courage to help you through this difficult time. Thinking of you.
Dianna Sahr (Van Marter)
October 14, 2008
I only have childhood memories of Thistle when I visited my "Great" Uncle Mike and Aunt Pat. Even with the distance in miles and relations, I am very honored and happy to know Thistle. Most families can't say that. I will miss her dearly and the future stories and visits I would have encountered. My thoughts and prayers are out to my family especially for Penny and Bill. Thistle will always be among us.
Love Dianna.
Brad and Kevin send their love and prayers.
Annie Norton
October 14, 2008
Dear William and Gayle, (and Penny)
Mark and I are so symphathetic to you as you go through this unexpected and sad event. There are no words we could say to lighten the load for you now as you make your way through this time. All we can offer is our emphathy and love. We are praying for you both to find the peace that I am sure Thistle is enjoying now. She will help you through this. We love you very much. Naturally, if there is anything we can do, just call.
Much love,
Annie and Mark
Also.....
Penny,
I do not believe Mark, my husband, or I ever met you. But we can only imagine what you are going through. Though we never met, our thoughts and prayers are with you too, during this sad and difficult time.
Sincerely,
Mark and Annie Norton
Myrna Nisenbaum
October 14, 2008
Dear William and Gayle,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
God bless you,
Myrna Nisenbaum
Holly Speight
October 14, 2008
Penny,
I'm not sure if you remember me or not, I am Jesse Speight's niece, but I remember Thistle when she was very little. I am so sorry for your loss and will definately be praying that God will comfort you in this time that only He can!
Peggy Steele
October 14, 2008
Dearest Penny and William, You may not remember me from Park Ave. C of C, but I remember Thistle so well. She was a delightful child and I am sure she was as a teenager.
My prayers are with you now and in the future that Jesus will wrap His loving arms around you and comfort you today and in the days to come!
May God bless you with healing,
Blessings always,
I am the aunt of Jesse Speight)
Jesse
October 14, 2008
Penny & William,
You know how much I love you and Thistle. I remember the day she came to us so well that it's hard to think of it as 17 years ago. She has a tremendous spirit and it will be wonderful to be reunited with her.
My sincere love and condolences.
Jesse
Michelle Lori
October 14, 2008
Penny and William and family,
I was so saddened to hear of Thistle's passing. I still remember when Penny visited and told me she was expecting. Our deepest condolences and prayers to you in your loss. Michelle (Sauer) Lori, Chie, Adam and Hanae
Clyde Jester
October 14, 2008
Penny and Bill,
We lost our son Chad last year to Leukemia, so we have a heart connection to you guys and an understanding that only another who has lost a child can truly feel. Just know that you are in our prayers. Our God sustained us in our loss and held us up when we were too weak to stand. May He do the same for you now and in the weeks, months and years to come. Rest in the knowledge that she is without pain or worry or sickness in the Lord's arms.
Clyde and Marilyn Jester (long time friends of Pat, Mike, John and Bill)
Kay Schlemmer
October 13, 2008
Penny,
I am sorry for your loss and the pain you must be feeling. Losing a child has to be one to the most difficult things to deal with. Having the
memories will keep her spirit close to your heart and may God keep you in the palm of his hand for comfort.
thoughts and Prayers to you
Kay and family
John Vlantis
October 13, 2008
To Penny and William and all the rest of Thistle's family and friends, our deepest sympathies on her passing. She is always in our hearts. She sounded happy and healthy when we spoke to her on her birthday and we are so saddened that she is no longer with us. Our love and prayers are with you. John and Madelyn
Phyllis
October 12, 2008
To the family of Virginia; I was impressed to send you my sympathy in the loss of your young adult loved one. I lost my son when he was 21.
Read John 14:1-3 and be comforted. Jesus is coming again! Gods blessings on your family.
P. Holston
October 12, 2008
I didn't know Thistle, but just the smile on her face shows what a sweet person she must have been. So sorry for your great loss.
Mosetta Horton
October 12, 2008
I was Virginia's bus driver (215) last year and was missing her quiet presence, politeness and bright smile (when she had an opportunity to smile) on the bus this yr. I am very sorry for your loss and pray that God will give you the strength and understanding to make it through this difficult time. I had already been missing her and wondering where she was, but I now know she is in the BEST PLACE!!
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