Virginia L. ‘Ginny’ Armstrong

Virginia Lee Armstrong, 67, passed away Aug. 8, 2013, in Longview at the Hospice Care Center.

She was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her husband, Rolly; two sons, Steven Armstrong and Mark (Amy) Armstrong; two daughters, Beth Corcoran and Kirsten (Marty Dick) Gunderson; and seven grandchildren, Kaitlin (Elias) Scarborough, Michael (Rachel) Corcoran, Dean Corcoran, Kenzie Dick, Rylie Dick, Lexie Dick and Ben Armstrong.

Growing up in Bellingham, the second youngest of eight, she learned to cook, sew, garden and argue. She moved to Oregon, fell in love with Rolly Armstrong and married him Nov. 26, 1964. They adored each other, and their partnership was an inspiration to anyone who witnessed it. They moved with their children to South Bend, Wash., in 1974.

Ginny was always active in the community wherever she lived. She founded Willapa Harbor Hospital Auxiliary and was active in Garden Club. She kept score at Little League baseball games and taught English as a second language classes. She volunteered at the museum.

She could cook the best meal you had ever eaten, sew your wedding dress, and beat your pants off at Scrabble. She did the New York Times crossword every day and friends called her before their doctors for medical advice. She loved children and teaching. She made hundreds of kids (and parents) smarter at her co-op preschools - 20 years at South Bend Co-op Preschool and six years at Little Rascals in Kalama. She was a member of the Washington Association for the Education of Young Children.

Her door was always open and if you showed up at three in the morning, she put the coffee on and made you something to eat. Even when she didn’t have two nickels to rub together, she would pack up all the neighborhood kids and take them to the river for a picnic. She could come to your house when you knew you didn’t have a thing in the fridge or the cupboard, and somehow cook you a delicious dinner — and make dessert. She knew how to throw a party and listen.

She was a stickler for good grammar and good manners. She was an implacable foe of bigotry, cruelty and injustice. She was a stubborn, bossy and brilliant progressive. She was a generous, fierce mother and a devoted wife and friend. The world was a better place while she was in it.

A memorial service in her honor will announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Community Home Health & Hospice, P.O. Box 2067, Longview, WA 98632.

Arrangements are by Dahl-McVicker Funeral Home.