Written as an email to all the CWC women in and around Oregon, by Pat Abernathy march 9, 2007 the day after Virginia died.

Tribute to Virginia

Hello Girls

It is with a sad heart that I begin this letter to you.

I want to let all of you know, that Virginia moved home to heaven at 11 am this morning. Mark called tonight to let us, and Esther know.

Ed and I spent the afternoon with her Monday when we were in the valley. She was staying with friends out of Turner, and they were taking very good care of her.

We were really taken aback with her deterioration. She was so happy to see us, but could not respond real clearly.

Mark told me that her cancer was diagnosed 10 years ago, and that she had fought it all that time. After 7 years you are considered a survivor; she was!

A year ago she was basically told to go home and die, but she didn't...Instead, she took on vice chair for the Bend CWC and really got them online administratively and updated technologically.....We were SO grateful to her for her expertise and for the way she tirelessly took out flyers to merchants.

When our chair moved, she took on those duties until Cheryl Freese was sent to us from God, and then Virginia worked with Cheryl to make transition seamless..what a gal!

She took many of the things she learned from doing SOR out here in LaPine, and used them in Bend to update them...this is where she became a SBS guide and began doing excellent publicity.

With tears, Mark thanked me for my part in her becoming a Stonecroft Speaker, realizing a dream of a lifetime. Thank you Jan for helping her realize that dream.

I remember telling her, when she asked how she did after speaking in Bend, "Virginia! This is the BEST Virginia I have seen so far! You just glowed as you spoke!" and it was true...she was her best, and perhaps closest to Jesus, as she let Him shine through her, telling her amazing story of how the Lord kept her from being a 'bubble person' and gave her a whole new life; or a life that was whole. What a walking miracle that girl was!

If I was told to go home and die, I would want to do it like she did...she went to work in the kingdom of God, insuring others got a chance to make their heavenly reservations! It just might have been her best year ever.

We are all terminal Girls; can we learn a lesson from Virginia? Let's give it all we've got and truly live til we die!

In my heart, I saw our friend dancing on streets of gold today...one by one we will join her; tho I have tears in my eyes, and Ed and I have shed many more, we rejoice for her and try not to be jealous because she graduated today before we have!

Mark will let us know what he decides on a service for her; we will keep you posted...she was one of us and now she will join our other dear Stonecroft heroines and personal family in those great bleachers in heaven rooting us on! (Heb 12)

My love to each of you precious sisters in Christ.

Pat