Ruth N. Virden's Obituary
Ruth N. Virden, age93, of Lewes, DE passed away peacefully on October 3, 2011 in Houston, DE with her family at her side, after a short illness with cancer. She was born in Wilmington, DE on Dec. 20, 1917 daughter of the late Roland W. Nichols and Jessie Talley Holmes. Following the death of her mother in 1919 to the Great Flu Epidemic, she was raised by her Aunt and Uncle Ire and Nellie Nichols of Federalsburg, MD.
For many years she worked in the Button Manufacturing Industry in Federalsburg, Maryland before going to work for Dupont in Seaford and in later years she worked in Food Service for the Cape Henlopen School District. She also owned and operated the “Back Yard Café” on Second Street in Lewes.
She was devoted to her family and helped in many ways including serving as a Den Mother for Cub Scouts; as an assistant with the Girl Scouts and as a Sunday School Teacher with St. Peters Episcopal Church in Lewes where she had attended for many years. Enjoying flowers, gardening, cooking and visiting with friends and family were her favorite pastimes.
In addition to her parents she was predeceased by her husband Gilbert R. Virden in 1966, her daughter Merrietta Virden in 2001 and her sister Dorothy Bartelle.
She is survived by two sons, Jerome Virden and William Virden both of Lewes, DE, a step-daughter Carolyn Doolittle of Georgetown, DE; brothers Roland Nichols Jr. and James Henry Nichols of Wilmington, DE; and a sister Roenna Williams of Wilmington, DE; seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday October 7. 2011 at 11:00 AM at the Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE where friends may call one hour prior to services. Friends may also call on Thursday evening from 7-9 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be in Lombardy Cemetery, Wilmington, DE.
In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to the Merrietta Virden Animal Foundation, PO BOX 653, Lewes, DE 19958
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