Virginia Adam Pennington's Obituary
Virginia Adam Pennington, 92 went to meet her Lord January 15, 2015. She was born in Oak Park, Illinois to parents James and Ruth Adam. The family moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where Virginia graduated from Southwest High School, 1940. She attended Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. Virginia married Robert Higley, 1942. He served as a Navy Torpedo Pilot, Bomber, WW II and they had two daughters Sharon Higley, 1943 and were expecting their second daughter, Nancy, when Bob’s plane went missing in action in the South Pacific. He was declared deceased at the end of the war. Nine years later, Virginia married John W. Pennington, October 16, 1953. John was Sr. Pilot at Braniff Airlines; they had three children, James, John, and Gail. The family moved to Dallas in 1961 where she lived in the same home for 54 years. Virginia was busy raising a big family. She was a dedicated volunteer for the cub scouts, girl scouts, and the Dallas Civic Ballet. Her children grew up, and she went to work at Sanger Harris in 1977, then Foleys where she was a valued employee for 25 years. Virginia’s children and grandchildren were the joy of her life. She was always their biggest cheerleader. Her family and friends remember her as a strong Christian, and a very generous and loving person. Virginia loved holidays and gift giving! She was a long-time member of The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, founding member of the Northwood Hills Book Club, Pi Beta Phi alum, and an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and season ticket holder. She is preceded in death by her parents James and Ruth Adam and her husband John Pennington. Virginia is survived by sister, Jean Castillo; daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon and John Wasserburger of San Diego, California, Nancy and James Grabau of Boone, Iowa; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. James and Leslie Pennington of Hood River, Oregon; son, John Pennington of Dallas, Texas and daughter and son-in-law, Gail and Buddy Crutchfield of New York City; eleven grandchildren, Robert Wasserburger, Richard Wasserburger, Ann Wasserburger, Michael Wasserburger, Alison Grabau Pomerantz, Ryan Grabau, Alice Pennington, Laurissa Pennington Cervantes, Luke Pennington, Abigail Crutchfield Arzoumanov and Coleman Crutchfield; seven great grand children, Wasserburger, Samuel Grabau, Sophia Grabau, William Grabau, Morgan Pomerantz, McKenzie Pomerantz and Luciana Cervantes. The family would like to express thanks to both Lisa Sanders and her son, John Pennington, who cared for Virginia the past six years. A memorial service will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, January 19, 2015 at The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration. In lieu of flowers, please send contribution to The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration Music Fund, 14115 Hillcrest Road, Dallas, Texas, 75254-8622.
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