Virginia Rosaline Highley
June 02, 1931 - March 22, 2018
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Virginia Rosaline Highley
June 02, 1931 - March 22, 2018
Obituary
Virginia “Ginny” Highly, age 86, passed away in Bellingham, WA on March 22, 2018. On June 2, 1931 little Virginia was born (in the back seat of a Ford Model T!) to Clarence and Mary Grace in Columbus, OH. Though born to Clarence, Ginny always considered her step-dad, Jerry Inama, to be her true father. A beautiful young woman, Ginny worked as a model, and won the Miss California title in 1949. This was one of her life’s highlights that she loved to reminisce over in her later years.
Ginny began her education in San Pedro, CA, taking a break to dedicate time to raising her family. Eventually she attended Whatcom Community College, and at the age of 61, earned her GED. In her free time, she loved visiting with friends playing bingo, card games, dining out at her favorite restaurants, and indulging in her favorite snack of all time: potato chips! Whatever the activity, Virginia was always surrounded by laughter, happiness, and good friends.
She will be remembered for her gorgeous smile, pretty blue eyes, and her laughter that brightened up any room. She was so sweet and happy and strong, with a fantastic sense of humor through good times or bad. Ginny was hardworking, courageous, compassionate, and a truly elegant lady.
Virginia is predeceased by her parents Jerry and Mary Inama, her birth father Clarence Grace, sister Maryann Coil, niece Linda Shuchy, and three husbands: Jack Easterwood, Bud Roberts, and Richard Highly.
She is survived by her children Gary Easterwood of San Diego, CA, Connie Gray of Bellingham, WA, and Sharon Williams; grandchildren Sabrina, Erik, Thomas, Brenda, and Kelly; nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.
A graveside service will be held on Friday March 30, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Bayview Cemetery in Bellingham.
Flowers may be sent to Moles Farewell Tributes – 2465 Lakeway Dr. Bellingham.
Graveside Service
- Date & Time: March 30, 2018 (12:00 AM)
- Venue: Bayview Cemetery
- Location: 1420 Woburn St Bellingham, WA 98229 - (Get Directions)
14 responses to Virginia Rosaline Highley
Connie Gray says:
March 22, 2018
I miss you so much mom
Connie Gray says:
March 22, 2018
Hi momWe had to lay you to rest today..jerry was there along with Erik and April and Tyralee and Xavier and cute little baby Romeo.
Sharin and Jim our neighbors were there and Sharon made some great tasting brownies for everyone..i couldn’t have any but i heard they tasted pretty dang good..
And angle and her husband was there along wirh another friend of yours from alderwood..
And kristy was there and she got up and read a few things i wrote down for her to read then she had some very kine words of her own to say about you..She has been helping me all week sense you left us..She is a wonderful and warm caring person mom and she loved you.. She misses you too..We all do so very much. ………………………..Jerry hired a minister to speak at your funeral and he was really good..But hey i know you were there listening to his every word..
Gary and Dianne sent you some beautiful flowers..Gary wasent able to come in person but his heart was there.
And Alderwood sent you some white flowers and Sammy sent you flowers and two of my old jr.high friends from california sent you some flowers..so many pretty flowers..
It was to hard for all of your friends from Alderwood to show up mom but were going to have a.services for you at Alderwood in april after Kristy gets back from a family vacation..
Its hard to believe your not here no more..I hope your ok..and its all true about heaven and that you got your angle wings cause lord knows you deserve them..
I love you mom and i hope i can do this, to be able to except your passing..I think i might need your help to get me thur this..
I love you mom and i hope you are happy now…
Jennifer cortes says:
March 22, 2018
My little sweet Virgina, I was saddened and heart broken today when I got to work and heard the bad news. My mouth dropped and I was speechless. You touched my heart As you did all of us here at Alderwood park and Rehab. I never got the chance to say … See you later as I was off but I want to tell you now. I will see you again someday and until then I will be thinking about you and remembering all our good laughs and moments we shared. You be watching over me now so when I have my little one in July that you talked about daily with me you can be the first one to look after us and keep us safe. I will miss you sweetie, and may you rest in peace! love always, Jennifer Cortes N. A.C @ Alderwood Park
Kelly Erwing says:
March 22, 2018
Dear Virginia,It’s me Kelly!!!! I want you to know how much I miss you so, Virginia you were such a great friend to me and ever so caring. Your smile could brighten up every room you entered. You will be missed by all of us at Alderwood Park Health and Rehab. The day that I left Alderwood to go to work in Snohomish was the day that you went to our Father God, you did say you wanted to go with me so therefore you chose to leave us on the same day I left Alderwood. Virginia I have your white Ked tennis shoes that you tried to give to me when you first got them and I told you no. Guess what Virginia they walked into my new sister facility with me. I will keep these shoes bright and white in remembrance of you. I love you Jenny and you will always be in my heart. I may not make it to the burial on Friday because of this new job and I know you will understand as much as I want to go. Life Must Go On and we will all stay strong just as you were. You raised a good beautiful dedicated daughter named Connie I miss seeing her smile as well. You take care while you’re up there in heaven and please when you see my son Colby give him a hug and tell him that Mommy loves him. I love you Miss Virginia see you later.
April smiley tracy says:
March 22, 2018
We will miss you so much Great Grandma! But heaven has made you are very own personal gardian angel to watch over us forever. please say hello to my dad Leonard Smiley up there tell him we miss him and love him. You were so sweet to us and always had a beautiful smile on your face when we would visit you! We love you and we will miss you so much….Love the smiley tracy family
Erik April Tyra Xavier Lil Romeo