Virginia A. Thorson, redeemed by Jesus, passed to glory Dec. 5, 2024 at her Bonaventure apt. in Richland after 77 years of calling Tri-Cities as her home. 

        She was born to Art and Josephine Barrett 3/28/1922 in Shelton, WA.  Her early years in that booming mill town left her with fond memories from her grandparent’s nearby ranch  plus walks with her great-grandpa Civil War Vet.  Her family moved to Port Angeles for her dad’s career in furniture sales. She was active in school sports and clubs in her T. Roosevelt HS Class of 1940.  She remembers hearing FDR’s speak during Olympic N.P. dedication. She worked tinting B/W photos at Deiner’s Studio and enjoyed lifelong oil painting. In WW2 she volunteered making bandages in the “war effort”.  During journalism studies at Wash. State College 1940-43, Virginia was introduced to engineering student Russ Thorson. After VJ-Day Russ returned from combat in Europe and they were married 8/30/1945 in her home church. In 1947 GE operations at Hanford Atomic Works enticed them to settle in Richland where their 3 children were raised. Her memories of those postwar years are archived at The REACH museum.

         Virginia’s many interests and youthful energy lead her to a lifetime of volunteering. That included the Richland Gardenaires Club since the 1950s, the Richland chapter of DAR, and growing her family’s faith at All Saints Episcopal Church.

        She volunteered for children’s education through PTA, Sunday school, and scout activities for her children. In later decades she was transporting grandchildren for school and sports. Her mother encouraged her to join the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in 1962.  Virginia is recognized as the oldest and longest-serving member in Washington State.  As a Washington state and American history aficionado she researched her family genealogy.  She dressed as Martha Washington for Marcia’s classes at Kennewick Eastgate Elementary School every February and also setup the patriotic historical display at Richland Public Library annually for many years.

       She cherished her daily Bible study, faithful prayer life, Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) group, and visiting shut-ins.  She lived out her faith by example with generosity, grace and love.  She especially enjoyed Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving celebrations, baking family recipes, cooking wild game, growing prize roses, long walks, and concerts by Tri-City Symphony and performances by Richland Players.

        She is survived by children Mark (Karen), Marcia Jensen (Chris), and Murray (Susan).   Her surviving grandchildren include: Lisa Piantanida (Dan), Kathy Kungkagam (Touray), David Thorson (Megan), Daniel Jensen, Kristi Pratt (Nathan), Michael Thorson (Candi), Robbie Thorson (Amanda).  Her 13 great-grandchildren began arriving when Virginia was 89.  They include: Tyler and Jacob P. (Lisa), Kaitlyn and Leila K. (Kathy), Levi and Silas T. (David); Danielle, Hollie, Autumn, and Maverick Pratt (Kristi); and Claire, Landen, and Ian T. (Michael).  She is also survived by sister-in-law Lorraine Barrett and nieces Heidi (B.) Pannell and Holly (B.) Loeza (Lorraine), plus Laura (W.) McMahon (Russ’s sister Vivan Walker).

        She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Wm. “Russ” Thorson (2013), her brother Richard Barrett, and her grandsons Thomas Thorson and Nathan Jensen.

         The Celebration of Life/Memorial Service is scheduled Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Columbia Bible Church, (202 S. Van Buren, Kennewick) at 11AM.  Burial and graveside services were officiated by Pr. Jonathan Smith was at Sunset Gardens 12/9/2024.

        Charitable gifts in memory of Virginia Thorson may be donated to: 1. DAR Scholarship Fund; Daughters of the American Revolution or 2. Columbia Bible Church in Kennewick; Columbia Bible Church: Kennewick, WA > Our Story or 3. American Heart Association; American Heart Association | To be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives