Virginia Black

VIRGINIA BLACK

Cedar Rapids

Virginia Margaret Black, beloved daughter of Robert and Esther May Black; Gina to brother Wm. Carman Black; aunt Ginny to Mimi, Bobby and Billy; and Miss Black to legions of music and math students passed from this earth in the early morning hours of Feb. 8, 2014, at Cottage Grove Place at the age of 98. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Private family entombment at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel Mausoleum. Friends may call at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday.

Virginia was born and grew up in Cedar Rapids, attended Coe College for one year and graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in music. She began her teaching career in Mount Clemons, Mich., returning to Cedar Rapids to teach music and math to students at Arthur School. During the Korean conflict, she spent three years in Japan teaching the children of American servicemen at Yokota Air Force Base. After Japan, Virginia returned to Arthur to complete her teaching career. She truly enjoyed teaching and loved her students.

Most of Ginny's summers were spent traveling. Instead of Where's Waldo, the family game was "Where in the World is Aunt Ginny?" She visited every continent at least once. She was proud of her Scottish heritage and made visits to the Orkney Islands and Scotland a part of her travels. Her last big trip was at the age of 90 to visit her great-nephew and his family in Australia.

Virginia's love of life and her compassionate nature made her a wonderful neighbor and a valued friend. Her family will miss her smile and her many "Ginny-isms," adages that we repeat today in spite of ourselves.

She was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church, a member of Tourist Club, P.E.O. Chapter IH, the Junior League, Cedar Rapids Country Club, Tri-Delta Sorority and the Gibson Girls Questers Club.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Esther May Black; her brother and his wife, Wm. Carman and Rita Power Black; and her nephew, Robert W. Black.

She is survived by her niece, Mimi (Frederick) Stroh; nephew, William Black (Maria Esther Blanco); and nephew Robert Black's wife, Susan Peterson; great-nephews, Christopher (Elizana) Stroh, Timothy (Juanita) Stroh and Bryan (Sarah) Stroh; great-nieces, Carmen and Maja Black; and great-great-nephews, Parker and Marley Stroh.

Virginia was greatly loved by her family, her students and her many friends. She remains an example to all of an independent life well lived.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to First Presbyterian Church or to the charity of your choice.

"The family would like to thank her many loving nurses and caregivers at Cottage Grove."

Please leave a message or tribute to Virginia's family on the website,

www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.