VIRGINIA BROWN July 19, 1935 – May 18, 2025
Her high school nickname was “Fireball” and if you had the opportunity to meet her you would understand why.
Virginia Brown was born on July 19, 1935, in Henrietta, Texas and died peacefully in her sleep on May 18, 2025, in Hillsboro, Oregon.
She was the third of five children born to Clarence and Hazel Oldfield. The family left Henrietta and moved to Grants, New Mexico in 1940 and returned to Decatur, Texas in 1941 so her father could work as a mechanic for Boeing in Ft. Worth at the beginning of WWII. They all packed up and moved back to Grants to build a new life in 1946.
Virgina graduated from Grants Union High School and married Bill Brown in 1957. The Brown’s moved to Los Alamos where Bill began a career with the Zia Company. The Brown’s had two kids, Barry and Dayna, born in 1959 and 1961.
In 1963, the company moved the family to Las Cruces, New Mexico where the Zia Company was the support contractor for NASA in Alamogordo. The family moved back to Los Alamos in 1971. Virginia worked in the payroll division at Los Alamos National Laboratory for many years until her retirement to Rio Rancho, NM in 1992.
In retirement, Virginia enjoyed seasonal moves between Portland, Oregon and Tucson, Arizona to be with families of their children. Virginia loved being a grandma and spending time with her two grandkids, playing, spoiling, cooking and attending countless soccer, baseball and basketball games.
Virginia knew hardship from an early age because her father was an alcoholic who never found a sober life. Virginia was a very kind and joyful person who met and kept many close and long lasting friends through her life. She was active in her sorority (Beta Sigma Phi) supporting the fellowship and its many charity events. She was inspiring to watch swing a bowling ball and fry fresh trout. She enjoyed golf and the friendships and trips that went with the game. Virginia bravely took up skiing in her forties and enjoyed the challenge. Virginia spoiled her family with her deft cooking and baking skills, often creating gourmet meals out of minimal ingredients. She made every holiday and visit with family and friends special with her energy and love. Her family will especially miss her cheerfulness, red chile, pecan pie and Texas Sheet Cake.
Virginia is survived by her husband Bill, son Barry and wife Kay of Tucson, daughter Dayna and husband Jim Keough of Portland, Oregon, granddaughter Addison (Robert) Wise of Oregon City and grandson Noah Keough of Portland. She is also survived by her sister Patsy Fletcher and Cousin Eddie Roberts.
Virgina was predeceased by her parents and brothers Barney, James and Pete.
In spite of her childhood and life’s disappointments, she brought joy and comfort to all who knew her. Virginia absolutely loved being a mom and grandma. She survived both breast and lung cancer.
The family would especially like to thank the wonderful people of Agape Hospice and Nuclear Care Partners. Virginia will be dearly missed.