Virginia Wilson
In the book of Proverbs, chapter 31, we read about the qualities of a good and holy wife and mother. Having spent some time reflecting on that passage, I have often thought “man, she must be exhausted!” The passage notes she runs her household and her business in such a way that all have what they need, working into the night. Near the end of the passage: “She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.” Finally, the advisor admonishes that charm and beauty are secondary to a woman who fears the Lord.
Virginia and her husband, Merle, were the parents of Randall, Gregory, Jeffrey, Janell and Joanne. I had the pleasure of meeting with Jeff, Janell, and Joanne to find out more about who their mom was and why they decided to fund a Scholarship in her honor. I opened the conversation by asking them to share one of their favorite memories of their mom from childhood. They shared commonly heard “momisms” such as “Let your conscience by your guide” and “Offer it up”; they noted she had high expectations; they said mom was always home and always there when you needed her. She was either at home or at Church. Love was felt because for Virginia, love was a foundational reality – every moment of her every day was lived for them, the people she loved, and that spoke “I love you” louder than words ever could.
Joanne noted her mom had “always been a mom”. Their Grandmother Korynta died when Virginia was twelve and she took over the care of her siblings and their household. She married at eighteen and she and Merle were blessed with three children by the time she was twenty-two. Her whole life was about her faith and her family.
All the siblings remembered sitting in the same pew every Sunday at Mass. They prayed the Rosary as a family, faithfully attended CCD, and learned through mom’s example the power of prayer and the value of attending daily Mass. Even as adults, mom called them EVERY Sunday to ask if they had been to Mass. Virginia served as a sacristan, a liturgy coordinator, a Catholic Daughter and past Regent, a member of the Altar Society, and was active in many other ministries at St. Mary’s in Grand Forks. Janell shared that Virginia fried the chicken for the Fall Dinner “forever”.
Family time was sacred in the Wilson household. Joanne noted they did everything together. Virginia was organized, on time, and she ran a tight ship. Everyone had a job to do as part of the family. Janell remembered that mom taught her how to cook, bake, and can. Viriginia especially loved Christmas. Everyone came to the Wilson house on Christmas day. There was a special Polish Christmas breakfast of homemade caramel rolls, sausage and pickled herring followed by a big formal dinner all prepared and served by Virginia – the adults ate first, and then the kids. They talked about how she gifted homemade food and baked goods baskets to family who weren’t able to be there Christmas day.
Virginia’s first connection to Sacred Heart was through the Catholic Daughters – her strongest link was through her daughter, Joanne’s career. Joanne shared that while living and teaching in Seattle, her mom sent her an advertisement for a teaching position at Sacred Heart and strongly encouraged her to apply. Joanne interviewed with then principal, David Andrys, who hired her, and to this day, Joanne continues to serve Sacred Heart School.
Virginia’s husband, Merle, passed away in 1999 and she never remarried. The siblings agreed that Dad was the love of her life and she never had any interest in finding another. Virginia continued to support her family as a mom and then grandmother. She loved to be present for everything. She enjoyed attending the sporting events and activities of her kids, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and Sacred Heart students. Joanne said that if she couldn’t be at a game, she was home watching several events at once on multiple screens. Virginia loved to hear “GG, do you want to come?” from her grandchildren. She never wanted to impose, so she always waited humbly for an invitation.
It should be said, that there was much more to life than working hard. Virginia and Merle loved to dance. They had a group of couples who played cards, celebrated birthdays, and rang in the New Year together. Virginia enjoyed gardening, her coffee crew time, walks, and fishing (but was wary of the water and always wore a lifejacket). She also loved greeting cards – she kept all the cards she received and would send a card to those she loved for every occasion.
Virginia was always serving others, often putting the needs of others first. Joanne noted that even in her cancer treatments, she felt she was helping to further the science of treatment for others by participating in experimental care. She cooked and cleaned not only for her family, but for others and over the years for the priests at St. Mary’s. Her last big dinner was for Fr. Gross’s 25th Anniversary.
At Sacred Heart School, Virginia volunteered in the library and assisted where needed. Supporting Catholic education was important to her and she loved to help because she knew there was a need. Joanne said she was always willing to come in and assist her with any project, even on the weekends. It never occurred to her not to help. Virginia is still helping the students of Sacred Heart today – it was her wish that they establish a scholarship fund at Sacred Heart, and so they have.
Truly, Virginia continues to be a Mom who “looks well to the ways of” the household of Sacred Heart. I have no doubt that she also continues to keep all of us at Sacred Heart in prayer. Please prayerfully consider donating to the Virginia Wilson Scholarship fund today.