- Date Of Birth: September 27, 1943
- Date Of Death: June 5, 2015
- State: Idaho
Virginia Juliene Aldape, 71, died in Oceanside, CA, on Friday, June 5, 2015. The second of six children, Virginia was born on September 27, 1943, in Boise, to Miren Totorica of Gernika, Spain, and John Aldape of Boise. Virginia was raised in Boise’s North End and then on “the hill” in Aldape Heights with her older sister Judy and younger siblings John, Mary Jo, David and Diana. Vir faced many challenges throughout her life—overcoming difficulties to achieve her many goals. At four years of age, Virginia developed rheumatoid arthritis. With limited mobility, she spent most of her life with a wheelchair. Being very strong willed and particularly determined, her attitude and intellect paved her way.
One of Virginia’s biggest challenges was convincing John & Miren that in order to reach her potential for educational and developmental opportunities, she would need to leave Boise. Her research led her to the discovery of a high school in Jamestown, North Dakota, that specialized in students with physical disabilities. Vir went to Jamestown, where she graduated from high school.
Virginia was very involved with her community and professional development. She was a member of the Society of Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators (National organization & San Diego Chapter), Authors’ Guild, Dos Valles Garden Club and San Diego Horticultural Society. Virginia and her friend/caregiver Sue Johnson, both interested in the stock market, founded a successful investment club named WIN. Sue and Vir established long-time friendships with their fellow investors.
Throughout her career, Virginia found opportunities to travel. Of course, to a wheelchair-bound person, traveling brought its own challenges; but Vir found ways to make it work. One of her first big trips was traveling to Europe with sisters and friends.
Virginia is survived by her sisters and brothers: Judy (Warren Lemmon), John (Juliana), Mary Jo (Tim Maxam), David, and Diana (David Berggren). Also surviving are: Sue Johnson, her long-time caregiver; 11 nieces and nephews and many great-nieces/nephews; 4 aunts; and all of her 44 Aldape and Totorica first cousins. Pall bearers will be nephews Ronald & Antonio Lemmon, John L Aldape and Erik & Bryan Berggren and nieces Katrina Lemmon-Baker, Jill Aldape and Alicia Berggren.
