Virginia Way

VIRGINIA RUITER WAY Virginia Ruiter Way, age 97, was proud of her Azorean Portuguese heritage. Born in Rhode Island in 1916 to Vergiano and Maria Furtado Linhares, she was one of 13 children. The family immigrated to Bermuda in the 1920's where she grew up. At the outbreak of WWII, Virginia followed her fianc‚´s Ara Jack Ruiter to the USA. Jack was in the Army Air Force and she took a war job as a Parachute Rigger. They were unable to reunite until 1944 at which time they were married. In 1945, their only child James Ruiter, was born. The family followed one of Virginia's sisters and her family to Chico in 1948. There were eventually seven sisters and their widowed mother living in Chico. In 1973, Virginia's husband, Jack passed away. She retired from Victor Industries after working there for thirty-three years. Her joy in retirement was her Rose Gardens at her house on Filbert Ave. More joy came into her life when she married John Way in 1987. They traveled until his death in 1989. She lived independently until December 2013. She is survived by her son, James, two sisters, and many nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, March 18th, 2014 at 12 Noon at Glen Oaks Memorial Park