Peace, Love, Joy, Hope! That was our mom’s message to the world. We know she’s found those things now.
Virginia Ann Elliott Solseng was born in Seattle on May 29, 1933; she died on May 5, 2018 after a 14-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was the fourth child of Elizabeth Goerig Elliott and Eddy Wilbur Elliott. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Betty June and Mary Kay (Mickey), and her brother Ed. Her brothers Robert and Richard survive her.
Virginia grew up on Capitol Hill and attended Forest Ridge School from elementary through high school. She attended Seattle University, where she studied history. She was the switchboard operator and a member of the Hiking Club. There she also met Gordon L. Solseng. They married on June 26, 1954 and made their first home in El Paso, TX, where Gordon was stationed.
Virginia and Gordon are the parents of: Josie (Riley), Jan (Hector), Ed (Adriana), Joe (Jen), Mariann (Tony), and Anne (Jim). Virginia was the grandmother of Caroline & Erik Maxwell, Nic Anderson, Dan Robbins, Raechel Solseng, Jaxen, Ben, Gabe, & Emma Solseng, and Macy Mann.
Virginia loved Mt. Rainier and the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, Victoria, British Columbia, Alaska, and Hawaii; seaplanes, hot air balloons, rainbows, cats, flowers, gardening, walking, and baking cookies. Her strong Catholic faith brought her much joy and comfort and she was an active member of St. Joseph’s Parish.
Service was important to Virginia throughout her life and she was a foster parent, lay minister, phone bank operator for the blood center and other causes, and member of many church or community service committees. She started the Single Again Catholic support group at St. Joseph’s, and volunteered at St. Patrick’s and Immaculate Conception churches as well.
Virginia worked for Sonia’s Floral Shop on 19th and Madison, in the Admissions Counseling Office at the University of Washington, and for University Presbyterian Church. She often walked to work from her home on Capitol Hill.
When her Alzheimer’s progressed to the point where she needed memory care, we were fortunate to find Full Life Care and Virginia lived in its residential facilities on Capitol Hill and Columbia City. Virginia continued to make friends who loved her, both among the other residents and the caregivers. Her children are so very grateful for the loving care provided by the Full Life Care staff. They made the last ten years of her life full of warmth, music, laughter, joy and comfort. Remembrances can be made to Full Life Care, Attn: Development, 800 Jefferson Street, Suite 620, Seattle, WA 98104.
Peace, Love, Joy, Hope!