Virginia Curtiss O’ Donald, 85 beloved mother and grandmother , passed away on Wednesday September 26, 2007 at her home in Green Acres of Greenville. She was born June 17, 1922 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Gerald and Edith Curtiss. She was preceded in death by husband Charles in May of 2001 and by both parents.
Virginia graduated from Lake Orion High School in 1940. She then attended pharmacy school at Ferris Institute where she was one of the first women in pharmacy. During the war years she attended the University of Michigan while working in the metallurgical lab of a war plant. She graduated from Ferris in 1947. That same year she married Charles whom she met in the pharmacy school at Ferris.
They worked in pharmacies in Muskegon before coming to Greenville in 1949 where they bought a main street pharmacy. They were both active community members for the next 52 years. Virginia served on the Greenville Planning Commission. She was also active in Theater Guild, Thalia Club, the Federation of Women’s Club, First United Methodist Church, Michigan Pharmacy Association, the Ionia-Montcalm Pharmaceutical Association, and as a tutor for the Montcalm Adult Reading Council.
Virginia along with Charles owned and operated a series of drugstores in Greenville as well as the Trufant Village Pharmacy. She worked as a pharmacist, but also loved managing the cosmetics and jewelry departments in the stores.
Virginia loved her family above all and taught her children to cherish each other and their own families. Son John admired her keen intelligence. She taught her children to respect the equality of women. Virginia had a feisty side and often reminded them proudly that she’d been known as “Ginger” when she was a child for good reason. Daughter-in-law Kimberlee loved her for her accepting, nurturing ways and unconditional love. Son Charles loved her generous and forgiving spirit. Daughter Kathy remembers her Mom’s love of family celebrations and traditions. They all loved her “Momism” statements that sometimes surprised, but always delighted them.
She is survived by her daughter Kathleen O’ Donald, son Charles O’ Donald, son Dr. John O’ Donald and daughter–in-law Kimberlee O’ Donald, her grandchildren Alex, Ben, Andy, Shannon, and Keegan, sister and brother-in-law Merolynn and Perry Hathaway of Oxford, sister Pricillia Black of Caro , several nieces and nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be Saturday at 12 O’ Clock Noon at First United Methodist Church Greenville, with her pastor Rev. Dr. Joy Moore officiating. Burial will be in Reynolds Cemetery, Howard City. Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 8 PM at Hurst Funeral Home, Greenville. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church of Greenville or the Greenville Area Community Foundation.
