Virginia Jean Paul, SP
October 16, 1924 - March 29, 2010
Obituary
Sister Virginia Jean Paul
Sr. Virginia Paul, S.P. Monica Mary died on Monday, March 29, 2010, at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, Washington at 85 years of age, after 65 years as a Sister of Providence. The Vigil Service will be held on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Providence, 4800 37th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA. The Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at the same location. Bonney-Watson Funeral Home, Seattle, Washington is in charge of the arrangements.
Virginia Jean Paul was one of three daughters born to Samuel Nelson Paul and Helen Elizabeth Coleman Paul on October 16, 1924 in Seattle, Washington. She spent her childhood in Lincoln County, Washington between Davenport, Washington and Sprague, Washington. Her father was a laborer and her mother was a housewife.
Sr. Virginia attended public elementary schools before enrolling for high school at St. Joseph Academy in Sprague, Washington, where she was taught by the Sisters of Providence then called the Sisters of Charity of Providence. While in high school she became a Catholic and, after graduation in 1943, she entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Providence in August 1944. She professed her first vows in 1946 and her final vows in February 1949.
Her educational opportunities included: LPN, Providence Hospital, Wallace, Idaho, 1947-49; RN-three-year nursing diploma, Columbus Hospital, Great Falls, Montana, 1950-52; BS, Magna Cum Laude, College of Great Falls, Great Falls, Montana, 1959; Post Graduate Diploma in Obstetrics, Margaret Hague, Jersey City, New Jersey, 1962; RN, Re-entry Course, Portland Community College, Portland, OR, 1976-78; CREDO Program, Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington, 1977.
Her ministry assignments were mainly in the health care field: St. Clare Hospital, Ft. Benton, Montana, 1952-53; RN, Holy Family Hospital, St. Ignatius, Montana, 1953-55; RN, Columbus Hospital now Benefis Healthcare, Great Falls, Montana, 1955-62; Maternity Supervisor, Night Supervisor, Nursing in the Patagonia area of Argentina, 1962-76; Nursing, St. Mary Hospital now St. Mary Medical Center, Walla Walla, Washington, 1978-82; Nursing, Outreach Worker and Nurse, Community Health Clinic, Walla Walla, Washington, 1982-86; Hispanic Ministry, Walla Walla, Washington and Milton-Freewater, Oregon, 1986-99.
During her years in Walla Walla, Sr. Virginia served as a volunteer at the St. Vincent DePaul Store, served as the Sister Representative on the Board of the St. Vincent DePaul Society, worked in the Home Health program at St. Mary Medical Center, was a volunteer at the Walla Walla Community Health Clinic, taught English in the migrant labor camp, and worked in a rural health clinic. In Milton-Freewater, Oregon, she helped Hispanics register for immigration amnesty and she served on a committee to support Central American refugees and people who gave them aid.
Sr. Virginia retired in 2005 and moved to Seattle. She was interested in antiques, history, art, and music. She loved nature, nurtured many plants and was always up for a drive to see the sights and enjoy a spontaneous picnic.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her two sisters. She is survived by cousins, nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the Sisters of Providence Retirement Fund, 1801 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, WA 98057-9016.
SISTER VIRGINIA “JEAN” PAUL WAS MY MOTHER’S SISTER, I AFFECTIONALLY CALLED HER AUNT JEAN. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT HER PASSING ON MAY 3, 2010 FROM THE MOTHER HOUSE WHERE SHE LIVED. SHE WAS A VERY SPECIAL LADY, AND NOW IS WITH HER PARENTS AND SISTERS IN HEAVEN. REST IN PEACE DEAR AUNT JEAN, I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU. YOUR NEPHEW TRACY
Virginia was a wonderful person. I was always glad when she came to visit &/or to dinner. I enjoyed her.
Sister Virginia Paul had a radient smile which I always felt reflected her deep spirituality and sense of peace within…
She had her Jubilee the same year as I had my 50th so we shared deeply at that time. A friend of mine was taking pictures and got a lovely picture of Sister Virginia Paul where she captured her radient smile. I took her to an art store where we picked a frame for the picture. I just know that she will bring that smile to heaven where she is blessed in the peace of Our Lord.
Sr. Virginia Paul’s life as a missionary in Argentina was an inspiration to me. God bless her for all her hard work, and devotion to the Poor of Providence.
Virginia Jean Paul, a second cousin according to my mother, was always known as “Aunt Jeannie” to me. She was someone I always respected and admired. She was a delightful and a truly wonderful human being. I am proud to know her and proud of her contributions to her religion and the church.
We are so very proud of Sister Virginia Jean who spent her life in service to others. She told us she was happy and often said, “I’ve had a wonderful life.” We know that as a devoted Catholic she was very happy to go to God.