Virginia Woodward passed June 30, 2013 at Guardian Angels assisted living facility in Richland, WA. She was 87 years old.

Virginia was born August 20, 1925 in Caldwell, Idaho to parents Guy Edward Kelly and Alice May Bennett Kelly. She was the oldest of four children; Edward Martin Kelly, LaVonne Leona Kelly, Ronald Laverne Kelly. The family moved around the northwest living in Vale, OR, Sunnyside, Yakima and Naches, WA. After graduating from Naches High School in 1943 the family moved to Kennewick and Virginia went off to Washington State College in Pullman. She was called home to help support the family in 1944. Virginia married Raymond Loe Woodward in 1947 and they spent the next four years job hopping from St Anthony and Shelly, Idaho to St Louis, Missouri. They settled in Richland in 1950 and quickly became part of a very interesting neighborhood on Sanford Street highlighted by a special family to family relationship with the Peterson clan. Their son Scott Kelly Woodward was born in 1950 and daughter Christine Rae Woodward born in 1953.

Virginia worked as a dress buyer, bank teller, and library assistant at Richland High School, realtor and relocation manager for Adams Realty/Coldwell Banker in Kennewick, and her favorite job was travel consultant with Windjammer Travels. Of course to be a consultant required some expertise in traveling and Virginia never hesitated to do her research abroad touching all the continents less Antarctica. When not traveling she loved to be with her grandchildren Taylor and Derek Woodward. She also enjoyed reading, golfing and walking along the Columbia River. She was part of a special group of acquaintances known as the FLASH group who grabbed their way through a happy hour and meal once a month on a Friday. She had close ties at Westside and Central United Protestant churches.

Virginia was predeceased by spouse Raymond Loe Woodward 1984, grandchild Jacob Raymond Woodward 1983 and parents Emerson E. Kelly 1989 and Alice M. Bennett Kelly 1972. She is survived by children Scott K. Woodward and wife Pamela Richland, WA, Christine R. Woodward Bellingham, WA, grandchildren Taylor Kelly Woodward Bozeman, MT, Derek Emerson Woodward Bellingham and siblings Edward E. Kelly Kennewick, LaVonne L. Kelly Kennewick, and Ronald L. Kelly Pasco.

Despite abject poverty, the Great Depression, World War II, being widowed early and two debilitating strokes she trekked on bravely always looking for the sunny side and you can bet she would have a smile for you.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Special Olympics in the name of Virginia Woodward: Online donations should be made using SpecialOlympicsWashington.org. There is an option for donors to make the donation in memory of someone. Donations via check can be mailed directly to Special Olympics offices in Seattle 1809 Seventh Avenue, Suite 1509, Seattle, Washington 98101 with a note referencing the gift is in memory of Virginia Woodward and programming in the Tri-Cities area.

A memorial service and celebration will be held at Memories at Sunset Event Center 915 By-Pass Highway, Richland at 5:30 pm on Saturday, July 13th.