Virginia Jean Ullrey was born in Jackson Co., Oregon on August 12, 1920, and moved with her family to Meridian, Calif., at the age of five. She was one of five children, and grew up and went to school in Meridian and Sutter, CA. She was an honor student, and excelled in math and spelling. She played in the harmonica band, made handmade quilts, made tailored clothing, and intricate lace tablecloths.

Shortly after graduating from Sutter High School, she married James Robert Ullrey, also of Meridian. She helped her husband operate their farm, raised two children, and cared for her husband’s parents. When her children left home, she began working for Yuba County Social Services, and retired from that position at the age of 70.

Shortly after her son, James R. Jr., and her husband passed away, she left her beloved Meridian, and moved to Sonoma Co., CA to live with her daughter, Sheryl and son-in-law, Don Sato. After her daughter Sheryl’s retirement from teaching, they moved to Whidbey Island, WA.

Virginia was very active in her church activities in the communities where she lived. In addition to being the secretary for the Meridian Methodist Church, she volunteered countless hours to help with needy causes.

One of her passions was quilting with her friends. She made numerous quilts, which her church quilting groups donated to wounded soldiers. She considered the Coupeville Methodist Church and her sewing circle, a second home. She was starting another “soldier quilt”, as she called them, the day before she became ill. She worked toward helping others until the last week of her life.

She deeply loved her family and her friends, was a devout Christian her entire life, and never wavered in her faith in God. When she became suddenly ill, she looked forward to joining her son and husband in heaven. Virginia went to the waiting arms of God on April 4, 2013. She is survived by her daughter, Sheryl Sato, and son-in-law, Don Sato, of Coupeville, WA.

Internment will be at the Meridian Cemetery, where she will be buried alongside her husband, son, and four generations of Ullrey and Curtis/Daugherty family members.

A celebration of life service will be held at the Coupeville Methodist Church in Coupeville, WA. Date to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, she would be honored to know that donations were made in her name to any of the following: American Cancer Society, the Methodist Churches she attended in Meridian, CA, Cloverdale, CA, or Coupeville, WA.