Virginia Ruth Hildyard died Feb. 20, 2011, of Alzheimer’s at HomePlace Special Care in Oak Harbor at the age of 80. She was born Aug. 2, 1930, in Denver, Colo., to Birdina Ruth (Fotsch) and Walter Wilson Howell. She graduated from Denver South High School and attended Colorado A&M before graduating in 1952 with a degree in Home Economics from Southern Methodist University. On May 9, 1953, she married Rev. Hobart Hildyard. Together they lived in Kansas where the United Methodist Church called them: Hiawatha, Independence, Topeka, Pittsburg and Overland Park.

In 1992, Virginia and Hobart retired to Whidbey Island to savor the landscape and begin a new life chapter. Virginia continued to develop lifelong interests in ceramics, painting, dress design, interior design and gardening. A lover of nature, she collected pieces from her environment as well as Van Briggle pottery.

Professionally, Virginia worked as a dental assistant, hospital dietitian and travel agent. She owned an antiques store and later her own one-person travel agency. She was an avid traveler, taking trips to the UK, Ireland, Indonesia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South America. She and her husband had house exchanges in the UK, Switzerland and Flagstaff, Ariz.

Virginia has been an active member in the United Methodist churches of Coupeville and Oak Harbor. She was a member of PEO, chapter IJ.

Virginia is survived by her husband, Hobart; her children and their families: son Brent of Phoenix, Ariz., wife Leslie, and their children Carly and Brock; daughter Wendy Mau of Del Mar, Calif., husband Doug and their daughter Torrey; son Wesley of Hermosa Beach, Calif., his wife Megan and children Tate, Reed and Lily.

A remembrance and celebration of Virginia’s life was held Feb. 19 at the Coupeville United Methodist Church. Arrangements were entrusted to Whidbey Memorial.