Obituary for Virginia Nordstrom
Virginia Mae (Thompson) Nordstrom died on March 18, 2022.
Virginia was born on January 3, 1944, in Escanaba, Michigan to Leland and Elizabeth (Tobin) Thompson. She attended St. Joseph’s Grade School and graduated from Holy Name High School in 1962. She attended Northern Michigan University and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English, graduating in June of 1966.
Virginia married William Robert (Bob) Nordstrom on August 13, 1966, at St. Joseph’s Church in Escanaba. She taught English at Clio Area High School in Clio, Michigan, from 1966 to 1969. In March of 1969 Virginia’s daughter, Kristin was born, and in March of 1970, her son, Timothy, was born. Virginia stayed home with her children until they were school-aged, at which time she started substitute teaching. In 1992 she graduated with High Honors from Charles Stewart Mott Community College in Flint with an Associates Degree in Applied Science Para-Legal Technology. She worked as a para-legal in Flint until she retired in 2004. Virginia excelled as a para-legal, a career that matched her interest and skill in legal research and writing.
Virginia was a voracious reader and one rarely saw her without a book in her hand. Her interests were many and varied, and her love of books provided access to the different times and places to which she was drawn. She loved working on crossword puzzles, watching Jeopardy, and playing card games, especially cribbage. She particularly enjoyed Trivial Pursuit, a game at which she rarely lost. Virginia also had a lifelong interest in architecture and enjoyed driving around Chicago and the Midwest visiting interesting buildings and homes. Gigi loved her grandchildren to the moon and back.
Virginia is survived by her husband, Bob, of Calumet; daughter Kristin Zubiena and granddaughter Claire, of Calumet; former son-in-law Daniel Zubiena of Laurium; son Timothy, daughter-in-law Merrill, grandsons Eli and Will, and granddaughter Kate of Oxford, Mississippi. She is also survived by her sisters, Mary Beth (Barry) Belanger of Chenequa, Wisconsin, and Katherine (Chuck) Belanger of La Grange, Illinois; brothers Leland (Sharon Kirts) Thompson of Crystal, MN, and Bill (Kristine Sowa) Thompson of Chicago, IL; and many special nieces and nephews. Virginia was predeceased by her parents, Elizabeth and Leland, and her sister, Judy.
As Virginia has requested there will be no visitation or funeral service. Cremation has taken place. Donations may be made in Virginia’s name to the Calumet Public Library, 57070 Mine Street Calumet, Michigan 49913
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Virginia was born on January 3, 1944, in Escanaba, Michigan to Leland and Elizabeth (Tobin) Thompson. She attended St. Joseph’s Grade School and graduated from Holy Name High School in 1962. She attended Northern Michigan University and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English, graduating in June of 1966.
Virginia married William Robert (Bob) Nordstrom on August 13, 1966, at St. Joseph’s Church in Escanaba. She taught English at Clio Area High School in Clio, Michigan, from 1966 to 1969. In March of 1969 Virginia’s daughter, Kristin was born, and in March of 1970, her son, Timothy, was born. Virginia stayed home with her children until they were school-aged, at which time she started substitute teaching. In 1992 she graduated with High Honors from Charles Stewart Mott Community College in Flint with an Associates Degree in Applied Science Para-Legal Technology. She worked as a para-legal in Flint until she retired in 2004. Virginia excelled as a para-legal, a career that matched her interest and skill in legal research and writing.
Virginia was a voracious reader and one rarely saw her without a book in her hand. Her interests were many and varied, and her love of books provided access to the different times and places to which she was drawn. She loved working on crossword puzzles, watching Jeopardy, and playing card games, especially cribbage. She particularly enjoyed Trivial Pursuit, a game at which she rarely lost. Virginia also had a lifelong interest in architecture and enjoyed driving around Chicago and the Midwest visiting interesting buildings and homes. Gigi loved her grandchildren to the moon and back.
Virginia is survived by her husband, Bob, of Calumet; daughter Kristin Zubiena and granddaughter Claire, of Calumet; former son-in-law Daniel Zubiena of Laurium; son Timothy, daughter-in-law Merrill, grandsons Eli and Will, and granddaughter Kate of Oxford, Mississippi. She is also survived by her sisters, Mary Beth (Barry) Belanger of Chenequa, Wisconsin, and Katherine (Chuck) Belanger of La Grange, Illinois; brothers Leland (Sharon Kirts) Thompson of Crystal, MN, and Bill (Kristine Sowa) Thompson of Chicago, IL; and many special nieces and nephews. Virginia was predeceased by her parents, Elizabeth and Leland, and her sister, Judy.
As Virginia has requested there will be no visitation or funeral service. Cremation has taken place. Donations may be made in Virginia’s name to the Calumet Public Library, 57070 Mine Street Calumet, Michigan 49913
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements.