"Sweet Aunt Ginny always had a smile and light hearted way about her. I wish that we had lived closer so I could have gotten to know her better. Much love to all."
In loving memory of
Virginia Ione Ducharme
February 13, 1928 - February 25, 2014
VIRGINIA DUCHARME
IOWA CITY, Iowa - Virginia Ione Ducharme, 86, a former resident of Muscatine, died on Tuesday, February 25, 2014, at Country View, North Liberty.
Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 28, 2014, at St. Mathias Church, 215 West Eighth Street. The Reverend Jason Crossen will officiate. Casket bearers will be her grandchildren. Burial will take place in St. Mary's Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, February 28, 2014, at the church. Memorials may be made to Ss. Mary and Mathias Parish for the needy. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Virginia was born on February 13, 1928, in Mobridge, South Dakota, the daughter of Leo and Mildred Jacox Carrigan. She married Albert Louis Ducharme on June 5, 1950, in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. He preceded her in death on February 21, 2002.
She and Albert moved to Muscatine in 1973, and after his passing she moved to the Iowa City/North Liberty area.
She was a member of the Ss. Mary and Mathias Parish.
Those left to honor her memory include four sons, Thomas P. Ducharme and wife, Mary, of Scottsdale, Arizona, Terry Ducharme and wife, Mary, of Iowa City, Daniel M. Ducharme and wife, Cheryl of Georgetown, Indiana, and Robert L. Ducharme and wife, Cheryl Ann, of Elburn, Illinois; two daughters, Michele Ducharme and husband, Frank O'Connor, of Auburn, Alabama, and Jeanne R. Conaway and husband, Richard, of Uniontown, Pennsylvania; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one brother, James Carrigan of Boulder, Colorado; and one sister, Norma Jean Cresien, of Seattle, Washington.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one grandson; one brother, Michael Carrigan; and one sister, Patricia Rustad.
Tributes
"Bob, I am so sorry about the loss of your mom. In looking at her pictures and reading about her, I can tell she must have been a very special lady. She had such a beautiful smile! I am sure you have numerous, wonderful memories to cherish. You and your family have been in my prayers. Sincerely, Shannon Blackburn"
"sorry for your loss. keeping all of you in our prayers"
"I am glad that Ginny was happy and chatty when we saw her on Sunday. My mother (Laverne) will miss her so much. They seemed to have a special connection. "
"Jeanne, I am sorry to hear about your mom. Please take care of yourself. Thinking of you. Geoff"
"Dan-- I'm so very sorry. She looks like she had a lot of spunk, which I can only imagine she would need knowing you. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your entire family. XOXO"
"Bob, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. I have you and CA in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that the great memories you have of her will help you through this tough time. With Deepest Sympathy, Angela"
"My sympathy to the entire Ducharme family. Ginny and Al were my neighbors on Barry for several years, and I will never forget their kindness to me, my children and our dog. I enjoyed many great conversations with Ginny from my yard and her at their bedroom window. She was a gem. "
"Remember Virginia as a great neighbor and mother while we lived on Leroy St in Muscatine"
"Please accept my condolences. While I never got to meet Virginia, I can tell what a bright spirit and wonderful person she was. May warm memories bring you comfort. RIP Virginia"
"The first time I met Aunt Ginny was up at the lake in Minnesota in the summer of 1970 when the Texas branch of the Ducharme clan made its way to the Great North. So who is this wild woman who was my Godmother? I was 15 at the time and was totally impressed and awed by this woman with her flesh toned T-shirt. I am sure all of you cousins know of the one of which I am thinking.... Throughout the years, as the Army was moving me around the country, anytime I was within 500 miles of Muscatine, I knew if I didn't stop, I'd be in trouble. She and Uncle Al were one of the most gracious, cheery and fun bunch of folks I have ever encountered. They are truly missed. But, they are not gone. They live in our cherished memories and will continue to do so forever more. From the Texas branch to the Iowa branch, we love you and know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Vaya con Dios."
"So sorry for your loss. Your family always made us feel welcome at Thanksgiving when we would all go across the street and play football."
"To the entire DuCharme family from the entire staff at Country View. We send our deepest sympathies for the loss of a very special woman! She will be dearly missed by everyone here. She brought us many years of joy, love and laughter and she will never be forgotten. We feel so blessed to have known her."
"Some of my favorite memories as a young girl was hanging at Jeanne's house on Grant Street. I thought she was the coolest mom ever! So funny and honest!! Allowing us girls to have fun...like riding down the stairs on sleeping bags screaming and laughing. She was a gem. So sorry for your loss. It is never easy losing someone you love, but I know she is in a happier place with your dad. Prayers to all."
"So sorry for the loss of your Mom. She was a great lady and Mom to all. Thinking of all of you at this time. Prayers and hugs!"