Virginia Brown Hurd, age 79, died Thursday, October 20th, 2005, peacefully at home in her sleep.

Virginia Ginni was born May 4th, 1926 in Puyallup, WA, daughter of Harvey and Verna Morgan Benson. She was raised in Anacortes, WA and attended the University of Washington in Seattle as a fine arts major.

On May 8th, 1950, Virginia married Robert Emmett Brown in Coeur de Alene, ID. By 1955 they settled in Richland where they raised their 7 redheaded children together. Their home was always open and their children’s friends were frequent impromptu guests at dinner. Virginia’s thoughtful perceptive personality made a strong impression on all who knew her.

Virginia is best remembered for her love of art and beauty. Her creative passion led her to begin a career as a fine artist at the age of 40. She was a longtime member of Allied Arts and won awards at several juroried shows for her paintings.

Virginia was also an avid golfer and an early member of the Meadow Springs Country Club. She was always excited about her times with the 18 holers and couples events. Through her last months she often used the desire to golf again as motivation.

Virginia became widowed in 1988. On November 4th, 1995 she married Ed Hurd with a pledge to each other of “10 good years”.

Virginia is survived by her sister Norma Bradshaw and husband Ben of Mount Vernon, WA; six of her children: son Mike Brown and wife Sally of Seattle; son Jeff Brown and wife Jan of Lakewood, WA and their children Matthew, Ben and Amy Brown; daughter Janet Bradley of Richland and her sons Randy Keels and Morgan Dudra; son Rick Brown and his partner David Mendelson of Seattle and his sons Dan and Steve Brown; daughter Kathy Bresnahan and husband Rich of Richland and their daughters Kaylene and Chelsea Bresnahan; daughter Connie Haines and husband Kerry of Puyallup and their daughter Carmen Haines.

Virginia was preceded in death by husband Ed Hurd, July 27th, 2005; prior husband Robert Brown, February 29th, 1988; her youngest son Charles Brown, October 27th, 1994, and her sister Phyllis Andreason.

A funeral mass will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Kennewick, on Tuesday, October 25th, at 10:00 am. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Richland.