Virginia Grace Walker Beers

VIRGINIA GRACE WALKER BEERS, 82 Virginia Grace Walker Beers, 82, of Rockford, died at home, Wednesday, February 14, 2007, at 4:50 p.m., surrounded by her loving family after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Virginia was born January 29, 1925 in Northumberland, PA to John Edwin Walker and Jeanne Cynwil Williams Walker. She was the eldest of six children. She graduated from Northumberland High School and took nurses training at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating as a R.N. just after the end of WWII. During her tenure as a student nurse and later as a practicing nurse in Philadelphia, PA., she became acquainted with Ray Franklin Beers, who was attending medical school. They married on September 4, 1948 in Northumberland, PA. He was her devoted husband for 47 years. They resided in Allentown, PA, Bethlehem, PA, Columbus, OH and Park Ridge, IL, before settling in Rockford in 1960, where Dr. Beers set up an allergy practice, and they raised their children. Virginia was active in the Rockford Memorial Hospital Auxiliary "Big Top" and "Health Careers" for many years. She was a devoted mother and homemaker serving on many PTA committees. As the boys came along, she served as a Cub Scout leader. After the children were grown she was active with "Meals on Wheels" out of Rockford Memorial Hospital. Her thoughtfulness and generosity to charities, family and friends were well known. Her life was spent in the loving care of her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She lived to experience an exceptionally happy and loving marriage. She raised five children who deeply loved their parents and each other. Virginia Grace was a woman with a good and even temperment, a common sense attitude, and a sunny disposition. Even those who had only the briefest dealings with her were touched by her sweet and kindly nature. She made many lifelong friends, and will be sorely missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her dear children, Teresa Jeanne Mesich (James), Kathleen Francis Hatfield (Joseph), Ellen Faith Gradishar (Rudolph), Ray Franklin Beers III, Kevin David Beers (Kim grandchildren, Kathleen Ellen, Anne Olivia, Anthony Joseph (Mary Brennen), Michael Brian, Nicholas Lee, William Rudolph, Maxwell Grant, Hayden Ray, Connor Van, and great-grandchildren, Ethan James and Elizabeth Abraham. She was preceded in death by her husband; infant son, Timothy and brother, Edwin Walker. The funeral service will be at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, February 19, 2007 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. with Reverend KyungJa Oh officiating. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 18, 2007 in the funeral home and will continue on Monday from 11:00 a.m.until noon. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. To