Virginia Florence Tarp

VIRGINIA F. TARP of Edmonds, former long-time resident of Bellevue, passed away peacefully on January 24, 2015, at age 94. Virginia was born November 4, 1920, in St. Joseph, Missouri. She attended St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing and upon completing her nursing training, joined the Womens Army Medical Corps and was commissioned a Lieutenant during World War II. Virginia was assigned to Adak, Alaska, where she met her future husband, Leroy (Roy) Tarp, a Medical Corps officer. Near wars end, the couple returned to Seattle on leave and were married September 29, 1944. Settling in Bellevue after the War, Virginia was an active homemaker, raising her daughter Cindi and engaging in numerous civic and charitable activities. She was well known as an accomplished potter, furniture re-finisher, knitter, seamstress and avid gardener. Virginia was one of the original volunteers with the initial Overlake Hospital Auxiliary (Fabiola) and was instrumental in the founding of the Hospital in the early 1960s, where she later volunteered in the Operating Room. She enjoyed golf and was active in Inglewood Golf Club, and also was a forty-year Parishioner at Holy Family Parish, Kirkland, before moving to Edmonds in 2009. Sharing her love for the outdoors with her husband, Virginia and Roy travelled throughout the Western United States, Canada and Mexico in Roys camper, enjoying fly-fishing and hiking, skiing and golf, never tiring of the beauty of the Cascade Mountains and lakes here in Washington. Her greatest joy in life, though, was her family, especially her daughter and grandchildren, who will always fondly remember her as Gramsie. Preceding Virginia in death was her husband, Roy, in 2005. Surviving are her daughter Cindi (Bruce) Cleveland of Edmonds, grandchildren Amy (Greg) Toohey of Westlake Village, CA, Debbie (Zayce) Kruse of Edmonds, and great-grandchildren Aidan and Austin Toohey and Corvin Kruse. The family wishes to thank the wonderful nurses and staff of Evergreen Health Hospice Care, the management and staff of Edmonds Landing and especially the owner and caregivers of Better Living Retreat, Edmonds, for their kind and loving support over the past six years. Mom was truly blessed to have you in her life. A Funeral Mass celebrating Virginias life will be held at Holy Rosary Parish, 630 7 th Avenue N, Edmonds on Friday, February 6, at 11:00 a.m., with a Reception to follow at the Pastoral Center. A private family burial will be held following the Mass and Reception. Rosary on Thursday, February 5, at 6:00 p.m., at Becks Tribute Center, 405 5 th Avenue S, Edmonds. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Overlake Hospital Foundation, Bellevue, Washington, or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Greater Washington Chapter, Seattle, Washington. Announcement: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Overlake Hospital Foundation, Bellevue, Washington, or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Greater Washington Chapter, Seattle, Washington.