Mary Virginia Baird Hurt, 84, died Feb. 23, 2003, at Whidbey Manor, Oak Harbor. She was born Feb. 27, 1918, in Durant, Okla., to Frank John Gipson Baird and Mildred Lee (Kirkwood) Baird.

Virginia Hurt graduated from high school in Wenatchee and then attended business college, also in Wenatchee. She completed her education at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Virginia went to Alaska in the early 1940s and started her own accounting firm in Anchorage. She left Alaska in 1958 and moved to Hawaii to become an insurance broker. She was the first female insurance broker for the Pacific Islands. She was married to Al Hurt in 1960.

Al was a member of the United States Overseas Aid Mission. His position required extensive travel and the Hurts moved across the world, living in Pakistan, Mogadishu, Vietnam and finally to Nerja, Spain where he retired in 1967. They remained in Spain for 18 years.

Virginia was eventually divorced from Al Hurt and returned to the states in 1985. She finally settled in Oak Harbor in 1988, where she opened her own accounting, computer and tax service. She continued that practice for nearly 14 years.

Mrs. Hurt was active in many organizations, including the Senior Net, American Foreign Service Association, National Association of Tax Consultants and was a Notary Public in the Territory of Alaska and Washington State. For many years, she provided tax assistance to seniors at Oak Harbor Senior Center and Oak Harbor Library. She is also a member Alaska Yukon Pioneers.

Virginia Hurt is survived by one sister, Anne Baird Sherman of Fairbanks, Alaska; by three brothers, Dr. Frank and Virginia Baird of Wenatchee, John and Mary Baird of Ephrata and David and Bette Baird of Oak Harbor; and by numerous nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Hurt requested no formal funeral services. Cremation was held with private family inurnment to follow at a later date. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor. This obituary may be found on-line at http://

burley.plan4ever.com.