Virginia Ellen Pauley

Virginia Pauley, passed away on Jan 8th, just short of her 93rd birthday. Virgina, also known as Ginny, was a loving and supportive wife, mother, and grandmother and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Ginny was born in Milwaukee, WI, and in her early years, lived with her family in a variety of places across the Midwest, including towns in Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota. After graduating from high school, Ginny attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA, before transferring to the University of Minnesota where she earned a degree in Journalism. Ginny was working as a secretary in Sioux Falls, SD, when she met the love of her life and future husband, Jim Pauley - Ginny was literally the girl next door. In January 1957, the two were married in Norman, OK. After Jim’s graduation from OU that spring, the newlyweds moved to California, where they started a family and lived for the rest of their lives. While the family moved around Southern California to accommodate Jim’s job, the couple spent almost 30 in Westlake Village, living an active life with family, friends, and travel. Jim passed away in 2004 and 10 years later Ginny moved to Northern California. In Northern California, Ginny found a new home and caring community at Atria of Walnut Creek and later Atria of Lafayette. The friends she made there brought joy into her life and the dedicated staff ensured she was safe and well cared for. Ginny was particularly close to Johana, in Lafayette, who made Ginny’s “life better every day”. After a fall in June, Ginny’s health declined and the Atria caregivers, as well as the excellent nurses at Hospice of the East Bay stepped in to provide the additional support she needed to be comfortable until her passing. The family is grateful for all angels who showered love and kindness on Ginny throughout her time at Atria and especially during her final months. Ginny was a devout Catholic who loved her family, cats, and watching sports, especially football and baseball. In her later years, Ginny developed a great love of the “Red Zone” on NFL Sundays, and she watched every Giants game throughout baseball season, which greatly distressed the Dodger fans in the family. Ginny is survived by her four children Craig Pauley (wife Lori) of Bakersfield, Cathy Pauley (husband Rick Hornberger) of Pleasant Hill, Kim Petri (husband John) of Manhattan Beach, and Kristi Pauley (husband Chris Kiergan) of Chicago, IL., as well as 10 grandchildren (Kevin, Cassie, Christopher, and Erin Pauley; Karly Kurata; Alexa and Mitch Petri; Aidan, Molly, and Grace Kiergan), and one great-grandson (Nathan Pauley); as well as a sister, Julie Spencer Lee of Cedar Rapids, IA. Ginny will be interred next to her husband in Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, CA.