Yuma, Arizona
On Tuesday morning, May 27, 2014 at Agrace HospiceCare, Madison, WI, Virginia Stoner Flanagan, age 91, our beloved Mother/Granny/Great Granny Gigi, passed from this world to the next to be reunited with her husband, our Father/GrandDad, William "Red", and her son/our brother, Gary Patrick.
Virginia Charlotte Stoner was born on August 18, 1922 in Evanston, IL to Neely Marshall Stoner and Mabel May (Horner) Stoner. Virginia, a.k.a. Pudy or Vee, was one of a kind - Stoner and Horner mix - a woman who loved life and lived it to the fullest. She married '"the hottest guy and best dancer in town" William "Red" Flanagan on December 23, 1943 at Frederick AFBase, Frederick, OK. After WWII, they returned to Dixon and Mom devoted herself to raising five children and guiding them "to be yourself and Love The Lord." Her life as a talented homemaker was full. Thanks to her interest in braiding rugs and collecting of pottery, crystal, silver and dinnerware, and antique furniture refinishing, our home was furnished very comfortably. Mom worked at Purity Mills before accepting the Librarian position at St. Mary's Grade School. After Dad's retirement, they enjoyed being Snowbirds in Arizona and danced their way through 53 years of marriage. In 2003, Mom made Yuma her permanent residence.
1. Music played a significant role in Mother's life. Virginia excelled at State/National contests with bass/snare drums, trumpet, piano and cello. With her first paycheck from Montgomery Ward & Co.in Chicago, she purchased a Wurlitzer piano. She celebrated her 89th birthday with Yo-Yo Ma receiving his kiss, hug, and encouragement to make more music with the cello. She enjoyed musical productions of all genres, even until her last days.
Virginia was admired for unquestionable honesty and integrity and her energy inspired many. She enjoyed antiquing, refinishing furniture, outdoor gardening, knitting, cross stitch, crypto quote and crossword puzzles. She was an avid reader, politically active, and a member of National Association of Retired Federal Employees. She loved getting together with friends and family to play card games of pinochle (Arizona-style), cribbage, an occasional solitaire, and especially enjoyed her many bridge club dates!
Her cooking and baking creations were everyone's favorites - Apple pie "guaranteed to ungrouch a grouchy husband", not-to-sweet-but-just-right Pecan pie, Enchiladas, and her Green Tomato Relish used to make the most delicious stuffed eggs...all so yummy!
As a convert to Catholicism, Virginia was baptized, confirmed and embraced the Catholic faith as a result of what she had been searching for and found. Through you, Mother, God has richly blessed all of us. You have passed on many of your passions to your children and we, in turn, to ours. Because of this, you will live on in all of us!
Virginia was a parishioner of St. Patrick's Church in Dixon from 1946 - 2003. As a memorial to
her beloved husband Bill, who preceded her in death on March 23, 1996, and her son Gary
Patrick on October 27, 1990, she was a benefactor of the Holy Spirit Dome over the altar and
the St. Patrick statue.
Virginia will be deeply missed by her two daughters: Judith (Gary) Conger of Madison, WI and Elizabeth (Larry) Nummerdor of Waunakee, WI, and her two sons: Irl John (Cathy) of Geneva, IL and Michael (Shari) of Eagan, MN.
Nine GRANDchildren: Meghan Conger of Fitchburg, WI, Joshua (Tara) Conger of Waunakee, WI, and Gabriel (Abigail) Conger of Omaha, NE, Kelly (Kelly) Flanagan of Wheaton, IL, Kristina (Jason) Garo of Gladbach, Germany, and Kyle Flanagan of Geneva, IL, Shelby and John Patrick Flanagan of Eagan, MN, and Matthew (Melissa) Nummerdor of Waunakee, WI.
Eight Great-GRANDchildren: Isabella and Isaiah Garo, Aidan, Quinn, and Caitlin Flanagan, Sami and Drew Nummerdor, and Cassidy Isle Conger a.k.a little Isle to Gigi.
Nephew/Godson Terry (Bonnie) Schroeder, Nieces Cathy Palzkill, Nancy (Bill) Kiro, Marguerite (Ray) Kusmider, eleven Flanagan and Curran nieces/nephews, dear cousins, aunts and uncles. She was also preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother Richard, sister Vivian (Bob) Schroeder, nephews Tim and Bill Schroeder and great nephew Matthew Schroeder, Godson Robert Becker, one sister-in-law, four brothers-in-law, dear cousins, aunts and uncles.
Funeral Mass is this Friday, July 25, at 11:00 a.m. in St. Patrick Catholic Church, Dixon, Illinois with Msgr. Thomas Bales celebrating. Visitation is at 10:00 a.m. Burial is in Oakwood Cemetery.
Unger-Horner Funeral Home, Rochelle, IL is handling arrangements.
Memorials may be directed to Perpetual Adoration, St.Francis of Assisi Parish, Yuma, AZ; Loaves and Fishes, St Patricks, Dixon, IL; and Agrace HospiceCare, Madison, WI.
The family cherishes the help and love that the Staffs and Volunteers at St. Mary's Hospital and Agrace HospiceCare provided during Mom's brief illness. A special thank you to Stephen Zwettler, Msgr. James Gunn, Fr. Mark Miller and the Pastoral Staff and members of First Presbyterian Church, Waunakee, WI.
When through one woman a little more love and goodness, a little more light and truth come into the world ~ then that woman's life has had meaning.
Virginia will be dearly missed and loved forever.