Obituary of Virginia Lee Coombs

COOMBS, Virginia Lee (nee Milligan)

Peacefully in her 93rd year, surrounded by family, at Idlewyld Manor, Hamilton. Virginia was predeceased by her parents, William G. Milligan and Mary Helen Lee, and both brothers: Bill and Don. She attended five different public schools before the family settled on Prospect Street in Hamilton. There she attended Delta Secondary School and became a member of Ryerson United Church, where she formed life-long friendships that resulted in her playing bridge with the same group of gals on a monthly basis for 40 years. As a young woman she worked as a secretary, typing faster than most people could talk and rewording as she went to ‘punch it up’. She left the business world to raise two children in Stoney Creek: Nanci Lee and Ian Mackenzie. A faithful member of the Stoney Creek United Church choir for over 50 years, she sang, accompanied on piano, organized publicity for choir events and volunteered on the funeral sandwich brigade. When her children were in high school and gone for the day, she went back to work as secretary to Hamilton-Wentworth MP Sean O’Sullivan (1972 – 1977). When Sean left politics to join the priesthood, she embarked on a 35-year stint as a legal secretary ending with Cass and Bishop in Burlington. A lifelong Hamilton Spectator subscriber, she lived for her daily read of ‘the hatched, matched and dispatched’ and got great satisfaction from her Letters to the Editor contributions. She was a tradition keeper: canning peaches and chili sauce; Christmas baking; and observing birthdays and anniversaries long after people’s passing. She had a great sense of humour; lead a life-long campaign for correct grammar and enunciation; and constantly volunteered her time and energy towards helping others – typically ferrying elderly friends to medical appointments. Virginia leaves behind her daughter, Nanci (Don); son, Ian (Atsuko); and grandchildren Drake (Emily), Shannon, Sean and Hanna. Special thanks to all her friends from 38 King Street West; her neighbours from Valley Drive and Randall Avenue; the telephone paramedic team who helped keep her in her own apartment until only recently; Dr. Damji and staff for their years of kindness and support; and the staff at Idlewyld Manor, Orchard View Wing. Special thanks to Dr. Paul Miller and Samantha Jansen .  Cremation has taken place. Friends will be received at the Donald V. Brown Funeral Home, 36 Lake Avenue Drive, Stoney Creek on Friday, May 11, 2018 from 1 p.m. until the time of Funeral Service at 3 p.m. in the Funeral Home Chapel. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Salvation Army would be appreciated. Notes of sympathy and condolence may be left at www.donaldvbrown.ca