Virginia Joy Coombs passed away peacefully on Feb. 20, 2025, at the River Valley Inn Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Del Norte, Colo., at the age of 94. Born on June 2, 1930, in Tacoma, Wash., Virginia's life was a testament to the power of warmth and generosity that she extended to everyone she met. She met and married a young soldier there in Tacoma, who brough the city girl to a new life on a farm in Colorado.
Virginia was a cherished member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she dedicated much of her time and love. Her service in the La Jara Second Ward and the Del Norte Branch was marked by her roles as a Primary teacher, a ward representative to the single adults, and a compassionate member of the Relief Society, among other callings when she was younger.
She is survived by her children, Dan (Christine) Coombs of La Jara, Colo., Terry (Cecilia) Coombs of South Fork, Colo., and Cindy (Gary) Hagaman of Alamosa, Colo., who remember her as a wonderful and loving mother whose heart was always open. Virginia's legacy continues through her fifteen grandchildren and thirty-seven great-grandchildren, each of whom carries a piece of her spirit and love.
Virginia's interests were as varied as they were heartfelt. In her younger years, she enjoyed the camaraderie and challenge of bowling. Her hands were rarely still, when she wasn’t busy with the many chores that living on a farm requires, she crocheted countless blankets and tended to her beautiful flowers. Virginia's love for animals shone through in her affection for her pets, including birds, dogs, and cats, but also the many calves she raised on a bottle. Sunday dinners at her house, holidays, going to garage sales with her on Saturday morning, and baking (but never ask her for her recipes because she didn’t have them), are special memories we all cherish. She firmly believed in the healing power of a plate of cookies.
Those who knew Virginia will remember her for the love she radiated. She was the embodiment of kindness and thoughtfulness, always carrying a smile that could light up a room. Her presence was a comfort, her laughter a melody, and her guidance a treasure. She was a strong and loving mother to her family and was preceded in death by her parents Martha and Kenneth Burtchett, two brothers Kenneth and Clinton, and a sister Nadine, her husband Willis, and two sons, Michael and Rodney, whom she is joyfully reunited with now.
On behalf of the family, we would like to send our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all the staff at River Valley Inn and Dr. Walker for the excellent care our mom received while she was in their care for over six years.
A visitation will be held from 9:45-10:45 a.m. Saturday, March 1, 2025, followed by a Funeral Service 11 a.m., at the La Jara Second Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment will follow services in the Sanford Cemetery.
Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave online words of comfort, condolences, or remembrances of Virginia, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com.
