VIRGINIA MARY “GINNY” OPGENORTH

Our amazing mother, grandmother and GG, was born on December 9, 1926 to Max and Josephine Schroeder in Tacoma WA, and died peacefully on May 5, 2016.  She attended St. Leo’s Grade and High School in Tacoma, graduating in 1944.  She worked at Fort Lewis for several years before marrying John “Bob” Opgenorth in 1951.

In 1961, they moved their family to Richland. She stayed very busy at home, raising six children and caring for numerous foster children.  She later returned to work, first at Kadlec Hospital and then as an accountant for the City of Richland.

After retiring, she enjoyed many activities, including traveling around the country with her husband. Her devotion to God was the foundation of her life. She was active in Christ the King church, and served as president of the YLI for one term.

Her primary source of joy was her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She also had a close bond with her five sisters and their families.  Over the years, there were many get-togethers, laughing, playing cards and many potluck meals.

She had multiple talents, playing both piano and organ, was an avid bridge player and loved solving puzzles, especially Sudoku. Virginia was a wonderful baker, especially pies. She often joked she only liked two kinds of pie . . . hot and cold. She was always on the hunt for gravenstein apples to make the perfect pie. Another of her passions was knitting and crocheting, and she was generous with her beautiful work to family, friends and donated many of her projects to charitable causes.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Bob, and by her sisters Maxine, Ruth, Marge, and brother Walter.  She is survived by her children, Mary, Marjorie, Rob (Kellie), Mark (Trish), Theresa Bath (Joel) and Kevin (Agnes).  She was so very proud of her grandchildren: John, Jani, Tony, Aubrey, Evan, Drew, Jill, James, Nick, Jai, Will, Judah and Aaron.  She was blessed with seven great-grandchildren, Joe, Mathias, Khaidyn, Mia, Owen, Gabriel and Leo. She also leaves behind two cherished sisters, Lorraine and Geri, as well as many special friends.

Virginia’s family would like to thank Jim and the wonderful staff at Brookdale  Assisted Living for being her second family for more than a decade. The family is also grateful to the staff of Hospice at the Chaplaincy for their incredible care and compassion during her final days.

There will be a Rosary service at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 13 at the Event Center at Sunset Memorial Gardens, with the funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 14 at Christ the King Church.  After Mass, there will be a luncheon at the church, followed by a graveside service at 1:45 p.m.  

If you wish, remembrances may be made to Christ the King Church or Hospice at the Chaplaincy.