Virginia Lee Wiggins, 77, died May 14, 2011, at her home. She was born in Seattle on May 9, 1934, one of two daughters born to Ernest E. and Virginia R. (Craig) Rogers. She was raised in West Seattle on the waterfront near Lincoln Park.
When Virginia was 12 years old the Rogers family moved to Davenport, Wash. She attended elementary and high school in Davenport, graduating with the class of 1952. Following high school, Virginia enrolled at the University of Washington, School of Nursing. Virginia received her bachelor of science in nursing from the university in 1957.
Her first nursing position was at the Shriners Hospital in Portland, Ore. Then Virginia went to Northern State Hospital, in Sedro-Woolley. She worked as the charge nurse providing care for patients with mental health concerns. In the early 1960’s Virginia left Northern State and became an Island County public health nurse providing care for all members in the community; including public school health screenings for vision and hearing.
Virginia met Harvey Wiggins while attending the University of Washington. They were married in March of 1957 after a short romance. In 1963 Harvey and Virginia Wiggins formed a partnership with Marvin and Loretta Porter to open Whidbey Island Manor. This was Oak Harbor’s first skilled nursing facility. Virginia and Loretta were the first two women to receive their nursing home administrator’s license in Washington. Harvey died in 1975 and several years later Virginia purchased the remaining shares of the business from the Porters. Virginia continued as nursing home administrator until her retirement.
Virginia’s passion has been her family and her traveling. One by one, she took her grandchildren on jaunts to all corners of the earth. They visited Asia, South America, Africa and Europe just to name a few. She loved people and learning about their culture. Still, her favorite place in the world was her home. She enjoyed going to the theater, gardening in the yard and walking on the beach. Virginia was also a long time member of the Skagit Old Car Club and the Oak Harbor Yacht Club.
Virginia is survived by her longtime companion Lou Oravetz, her five children and their spouses: Mark and Denise Wiggins, Cathy and David Wood, Mike Wiggins, LeeAnn and Mitch Halpin, and Laurie and Robert Croan. Other family members include her sister Carol Ferguson, 14 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren.
Memorial services for Virginia Wiggins will be held Saturday, June 4, at 2 p.m. at Wallin Funeral Home in Oak Harbor. Private family burial will be held at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to Habitat for Humanity and Seeing Eye Dogs for the Blind. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Charles Kotal for all the care and assistance he gave to Virginia. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.wallinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation, LLC, Oak Harbor.
