Virginia Lee Willson Hite

Hite, Virginia Lee Willson 95 Sept. 20, 1921 Feb. 01, 2017 Virginia Lee Willson was born Sept. 20, 1921 in Raymond Wash., the beloved only child of Clyde and Eva Willson. Her fathers occupation as a shingle sawyer took her to various small timber towns in early childhood, settling last in Portland where she graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1938, with a scholarship to the University of Oregon. She had life-long friendships with several high school classmates, and with them began in their late teens attending dances in Sherwood, where she met Don Hite a young pianist and vocalist, and his band leading brother Woody. There was lots of dancing with the Woody Hite Band at local venues, including the Uptown Ballroom and the cities along the Oregon Coast. The advent of WWII had Virginia, with Dons mother and sister, traveling by train to Anniston, Ala., where she married Don, Feb. 13, 1943. Eight months later Don deployed to the South Pacific, and Virginia returned home to work for the federal Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Upon Dons return in January of 1946, they soon settled in Sherwood, building homes on the Hite family farmstead alongside those of Dons siblings. Their love was blessed with the arrival of daughter, Suzie in 1947, and soon after Randy completed their family in 1950. Virginia began work at the Sherwood medical clinic in 1956, a career lasting nearly 30 years. She joined in many community activities, including the Robin Hood Festival Association, and funding committees for the swim pool and library. Virginia was an avid reader along with her Book Club companions. Her skills helped Sherwood build their first dedicated library and as a board member she was awarded the honor of City of Sherwood Volunteer of the Year. She and Don had many happy memories of tending to their wonderful gardens, going to big band concerts, Oregon State University athletic events, and trips to the cabin at Rhododendron with their Mason family friends. Of special memory, were annual Labor Day trips to Melvin Springs with the Camping Group where the women planned gourmet meals and entertained their men with unforgettable skits. These two had many wonderful opportunities to travel in their retirement, including very special trips to Bergamo, Italy, where they enjoyed the generous hospitality and enduring friendship of the Rodeschini family. With Dons health failing, they both moved to Raleigh Hills Assisted Living in 2006, joining daughter, Suzies mother-in-law, Vicki. Virginia was preceded in death by Don in 2009 after 66 years of marriage. She is survived by daughter, Suzanne (Tom) and Randy (Luraina); grandchildren, Laura, Michael (Michael), Jason (Julie); and great-grandsons, Matthew and Riley. Virginias family is very appreciative of the help, assistance, and friendship of the management, staff, and residents at Raleigh Hills Assisted Living and of the wonderful personnel at Legacy Hopewell Hospice. There will be a Celebration of Life with a Mass at at 11 a.m., Feb. 11, 2017 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Sherwood, followed by a 12 p.m. luncheon at the Parish Hall.

Virginia Lee Willson Hite

September 20, 1921 - February 1, 2017