Virginia Marie Springer passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on Feb. 1, 2018, in Eureka, at the Hospice House, listening to the beautiful voices of the Threshold Choir, surrounded by family.

Virginia was born on October 9, 1924, in Chicago, Illinois. She married the love of her life, Paul, on Nov. 19, 1949, and they were happily married for 57 years. They raised four boys: Jim, Tom, Bill, and Peter, and were very proud of their sons. Virginia and Paul moved to Arcata in 1973 and spent many happy years enjoying the beauty of Humboldt County. Virginia and Paul resided in Arcata for the better part of 40 years. She spent the past five years residing in McKinleyville at Timber Ridge Assisted Living.

After raising her four boys, Virginia went back to college and graduated from Humboldt State in 1977 with a degree in social work. Upon graduating, she spent many years helping others as a social worker. She worked for the Eureka/Arcata Hemodialysis Unit and before that at Mad River Community Hospital as a discharge planner.

Virginia and Paul were very active members of St. Mary’s Church in Arcata, which became their parish upon arriving to this area. Virginia continued to love to go to church and serve God and the community until she became ill.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret and Yvo Haggerty. She also was preceded in death by her loving husband, best friend, and companion, Paul in 2007.

Virginia is survived by her sons Jim (Nancy) of Warren NJ, Tom (Ann) from Litchfield, MN, Bill from Aurora, CO, and Peter (Debbie) of Eureka, CA. She also is survived by her grandchildren Maureen, Nathaniel (Tiffany), Timothy (Anna), Kevin (Kathleen), and Ryan. She enjoyed spending time with her two great grandchildren, Elizabeth and Everest, whom she met for the first time last summer when the Springer family gathered in Trinidad, CA for a reunion. She also is survived by her brother, Edward Haggerty of Naperville, IL, and sister Marjorie Dunn of Downers Grove, IL, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She loved God, her family, her numerous friends, being outdoors, and enjoying the beauties of nature. She enjoyed birding with Paul and other friends.

She had so many wonderful qualities that her friends and family admired. She was friendly, kind, compassionate, generous, and giving. She always looked out for others and was a completely selfless person.

The Springer family would like to invite friends to a viewing on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018, at Paul’s Chapel, 1070 H St. in Arcata from 4 to 7 p.m. and a funeral/mass to be held Friday, Feb. 9, 2018, beginning at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 1690 Janes Rd. in Arcata.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to Hospice of Humboldt for their comfort, support, and ability to make Virginia comfortable in her last days. We also are grateful for the care that Larona, David, and the wonderful caregivers at Timber Ridge of McKinleyville provided Mom over the past five years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Mary’s Church, the Redwood Region Audubon Society, or Wildlife Society (California North Coast Chapter).

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Virginia Springer’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.