Virginia Mae SAMSON

Virginia Mae Samson Norman, 74, Willits, CA formerly of Grand Forks, ND, passed away Sunday, July 17, 2005 with her family by her side in Northbrook Manor Convalescent Hospital, Willits, CA. Virginia Mae Samson Norman, was born March 14, 1931 to immigrant farmers in North Dakota. One of seven children, she had Icelandic Beauty and Strength, with a Scottish twinkle in her eye. Virginia lived her life fully, from playing scrappy basketball at Fairdale High School, to completing Nurse's Training with the Sisters of St. Joseph's at St. Michael's Hospital in Grand Forks, ND. After graduation, she helped establish a hospital in Edmore, North Dakota. She moved to California in 1955 and soon married the love of her life, Tom. Together, they settled in Willits and raised two children. Virginia was very proud of her profession as a nurse. She worked at Howard Hospital, Northbrook Convalescent Home, and for the offices of Dr. Smalley and Dr. Foster. She worked for many years in the School District as a Nurse and taught nursing for the vocational program in Willits. She was always proud of that program and the excellent students it produced, many of whom went onto become Registered Nurses. Education was always very important for Virginia and she never stopped learning. She saw her two children through college and went back to college herself, earning her Bachelor's Degree. She also obtained her Realtors license and graduated from Pilots Ground School. Virginia lived with passion and had many interests. She loved golf and was the Women's Club Champion at Brooktrails Golf Course. She traveled throughout Europe, she flew in Alaska Bush Planes, and she para-sailed in Mexico. She was a fireball wherever she went. She also was involved in her community, belonging to the St. Anthony's Women's Guild, Iota Zeta Sorority of Willits, and the Brooktrails Women's Golf Club. Ginny will be deeply missed by her husband Tom, her daughter Beth and her son, Matt. We all hope to live life with the same passion and love that she showed us during her life. She is survived by her sisters JoAnn Jones of Tucson, Arizona and Wanda Hall of Park River, North Dakota, and her brothers, Glen Samson of Grand Forks, North Dakota and Lyle (Helen) Samson of Minot, North Dakota. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews that she truly loved and all their families. The family of Virginia Norman request that memorials be donated to the Northbrook Resident Activity Fund, Northbrook Manor Convalescent Hospital, 64 Northbrook Way Willits, CA 95490 Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 25, 2005, St. Michael's Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND Visitation: 4-6:00 p.m. Sunday in the Gregory J. Norman Funeral Chapel, So. Washington St. and hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Monday. Burial: Calvary Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND. The online memorial registry may be signed at www.normanfuneral.com (Gregory J. Norman-Norman Funeral Home, So Washington St.) Published in the Grand Forks Herald on 7/22/2005.