Virginia was born October 4, 1927 in Boulder, COto Robert and Florence Nelson. She passed away on July 13, 2018 in Bakersfield, CA. Virginia had two siblings that preceded her in death.
They were Iris Ann, a little sister, and Robert, the oldest. Virginia is survived by her three children, Joseph, Shelley, Suzanne, and spouses. Virginia met and married Louis A. Deford Jr. in July of 1955, which resulted in three collective families as a result of their union that has now produced five grandchildren and six great grandchildren with one more on the way in August.
Virginia attended the Boulder public schools, graduating High School in 1945. She then enrolled in the University of Colorado in Boulder, graduating in 1949 with her teaching degree. After being recruited by the Coalinga Unified School District to teach at the elementary level, Virginia began her 35 year career in Coalinga, CAin the fall of 1949, in the thennew, Cheney Kindergarten.
Virginia had several assignments taking her into other grade levels and positions that included a stent as President of the CUTA which allowed her to assist in the collective bargaining that was the system of the day. Virginia was always ready to tell you exactly how much she thought of her fellow teachers and classified co-workers that made Coalinga Unified the best school district in her mind. Children came first!
She just couldn’t get enough; she ran and was elected to the School Board in her retirement. That experience could have been better. She used more colorful words to describe that period than can be posted here.
You know who you are! Virginia was very active in St. Phillips Episcopal Church, serving on every committee at some point. She was active in the local Sorority, book clubs and she substituted as well as tutored children following her retirement from full-time teaching.
Not to be idle, Virginia worked as an Office Manager for a couple of businesses, the last of those stents was with Veirhus Farms, a job and family she loved. Virginia spent the last 17 years living in Bakersfield, CA. Most recently she resided at Rosewood, a retirement community where she remained active until she suffered a fall that facilitated her decline and passing.
The family would like to thank the caring friends she made there along with the folks that worked to make Virginia comfortable at both Bakersfield Community Hospice and Blue Pearl Nursing Care. You are all very special people. Thank you.
There is no public service planned. A private interment will take place at the Grangeville Cemetery in Armona, CA. Remembrance may be considered by paying it forward and volunteering at a school near you.
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