Service measured not by GOLD,
                           but by the GOLDEN RULE

Service measured not by GOLD,
          but by the GOLDEN RULE

330.262.7771

Virginia Lee Stephenson (née Froning) died peacefully in Wooster, Ohio on Good Friday, 10 April 2020 at the age of 83.
Virginia is survived by her four children Brian Stephenson (Kristine Shepherd), Ann Stephenson, Karen Payne (Steve), Dale Stephenson (Deanna), three grandchildren Victoria Berry (nee Payne; and husband Brandon), Timothy Stephenson and Daniel Payne (Catherine), and one great-grandchild, Virginia Kay Payne.  She is preceded in death by her parents Clem and Marie Froning and sisters Joan Brown and Judy Mescher.
Virginia was born in Coldwater, Ohio on September 24, 1936.   She moved to Cleveland after High School.   While raising her four children, she attended Nursing School and became a Registered Nurse.   She worked at Metro General Hospital in Cleveland.   After 20 years in the city, the family relocated to a farm in West Salem.   Virginia worked on the farm and at Wooster Community Hospital.   She left the hospital for a position at The Wayne County Career Center and invested her heart and soul in her work.   She worked at the Career Center until retirement. She had a passion for all her students but especially those needing extra guidance and worked with them to find purpose and pursue their goals.  
Virginia was truly a renaissance woman ahead of her time having varied interests and jobs in nursing, counseling, antiques, gardening, cooking, sewing, scuba diving and serving on the Wooster Planning Commission.   Virginia was an accomplished antique collector and will be remembered for her talent of picking out that one fine piece amongst many.   A passionate collector, she was an enthusiastic member of the Early American Glass Club and the Doll Club and loved learning/sharing her knowledge about antique glass and dolls.   She worked long hours in her beautiful gardens.   She loved all flowers especially day lilies and hostas.   Her gardens were a stop one year on the Garden Tour, along with a feature article that outlined her gardening feats.   She was a member of the Wooster Planning Commission and always took a focused interest in the revitalization projects of her favorite town of Wooster.   Virginia loved to entertain.   She hosted countless functions “ one of her favorite places to entertain was at her picturesque log cabin.   Above all else in her life, her children were her greatest pride and joy.   She always had time for her children and was truly the best Mom.   She was known to all as a kind and graceful woman, always having a calm voice of reason and understanding; she is sorely missed by all.
At this time, due to the extraordinary circumstances of COVID 19, no immediate services are planned.   The family will plan a celebration of life this September, if circumstances allow. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the charity of your choice.   The family would like to thank the caregivers and hospice staff at The Avenue for their efforts and care during Virginia ™s final days.   Thank you.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com.

Memorial Contributions
Contributions may be sent to a charity of donor’s choice

Service
A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.

Visitation
No Calling Hours

8 Comments

  1. Thinking of your family (and especially Brian) during this time. Your Mom was a wonderful lady!

    Tina and Dick Benson

    Reply
  2. Our heartfelt condolences to the entire family (we’re Brian’s neighbors). I had the pleasure of working with Virginia at the Career Center and can say that she was a very special, caring woman. She will be sadly missed by many.

    Reply
  3. With deepest sympathy for the loss of Virginia. We remember with fondness our conversations with her in her “back” back yard. She was a gentle and loving person who will be missed.
    Victoria & Richard Birk

    Reply
  4. To Virginia’s Family and Friends, Our deepest sympathies go out to you. May God, and the many good memories, sustain you; now and also in the future.. Our thoughts and prayers are for you and your families. Sincere condolences from Art Beerys, Smithville, Ohio

    Reply
  5. So sorry for the loss of a great woman. She truly was everything written. Heaven gained an angel.

    Reply
  6. Our condolences to the family. You are all in our hearts and prayers.

    Reply
  7. I first met Virginia while attending the Wayne County Joint Vocational School (1981-1983). She was someone who, as a younger person, you could instantly connect with. Later in life, when she was a Planning Commission member (to which I was Staff), I was able to reconnect with her and still see that she continued her gentle, caring nature. She was sincere, caring and a loving person. Anyone who knew her was surely on the lucky side of life.

    Reply
  8. Your mother was a wonderful lady who passed on her best traits to her four children. I’ve been thinking of you all during this especially difficult time to lose someone so special. Peace be with you. Elaine

    Reply

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