Virginia Lee Bruington Woodrow, 90, of Galesburg, passed away on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at the OSF Richard Owens Hospice Home in Peoria with family by her side.
Virginia was born on November 16, 1930, in Mercer County, Alexis, IL. She was the daughter of Reimer W. and Lorene L. (Herod) Bruington. Virginia attended Pioneer Elementary School (a one-room schoolhouse) for 8 years and graduated from Alexis Community High School. She then attended Western Illinois State College and later joined the Women’s Army Corps. During her time in the service, Virginia met and married Elmer Rowland Woodrow in Havre de Grace, Maryland.
Virginia is survived by her children, William Woodrow of Galesburg, Bryan (Ava) Woodrow of Yuma, AZ, and Valerie (Michael) Szotek of Mundelein, IL; two sisters, Margaret Fraser of Costa Mesa, CA and Susan Unger of Galesburg; eight grandchildren, Jennifer Brovelli, Jeremy Lee, Amy Suydam, Alison Hulse, Sage, and Kale Woodrow, Katie and Matt Szotek; and two great-grandchildren, Brandon Suydam and Ashley Hulse. Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother Reimer Bruington and sister Louise Terhune.
Virginia worked as a Mental Health Technician at the Galesburg Mental Health Center and Zeller Mental Health Center in Peoria until her retirement. She devoted much of her time and energy as a caregiver to her family, including her mother until she passed away at age 101. Virginia’s hobbies included reading, cross-stitch, and taking care of her garden. She loved tending to her flowers. She also enjoyed doing her daily crossword puzzle.
Cremation rites have been accorded. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at the Alexis Cemetery, Alexis. Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes and Crematory, Knoxville have been entrusted with arrangements. Memorials may be made to the OSF Richard Owens Hospice Home. Expressions of sympathy may be left to the family at www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com.
