BRUGGER, Virginia Elizabeth

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Sunday, March 11, 2007 Virginia Elizabeth Nally Brugger On March 6, 2007, Virginia Elizabeth Nally Brugger passed away in Prescott, Arizona. At the time of her death she was 91 and was surrounded by her children throughout her peaceful passing. Virginia is survived by her sisters, Cordia Bender of South Bend, Indiana, Mary Lehn (James) of Page, Arizona; her brother, Aaron Nally (Mary Louise) of St. Petersburg, Florida. She is survived by her four children, Sue Brugger of Prescott, Arizona, Julie Brugger of Seattle, Wash., Stephen J. Brugger of Seattle, Wash. and Jeffry V. Brugger of Atlanta, Ga.; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Col. Jerome V. (Jerry) Brugger. She was born December 4, 1915, in Henderson, Kentucky. In 1933, she graduated from Riley High School in South Bend, Indiana as her class valedictorian. In 1940, she graduated, again as valedictorian, from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She joined the Red Cross in 1943 where she worked for five years. She was a recreational therapist in government hospitals caring for the war wounded. While stationed in Adak, Alaska she met Jerome V. Brugger who she would later marry in June of 1948. Their union lasted 50 years, until the time of Jerome's death in 1998. Jerry's military career carried the family from Philadelphia, back to Alaska, then New York state, and Hawaii. The family eventually landed in Fairborn, Ohio, where Jerry worked at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Fairborn, Ohio. In 1975, at the age of 60, she received a Master's degree in mental health counseling from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. For 12 years from1977 to 1989 she worked at the Pastoral Counseling Center of Dayton, Ohio. Her passion for learning and service led to her involvement in many professional organizations and developmental workshops throughout her life. Ginny enjoyed her family, gardening, Japanese flower arranging, Sumie painting, spiritual studies and was an accomplished seamstress. After moving to Prescott, Arizona in 2000, she continued to play tennis and enjoyed dancing until her health declined. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Virginia's name to: Margaret T Morris Center, 878 Sunset Avenue, Prescott, Ariz., 86301; or Granite Mountain Hospice, 3107 Clearwater Drive, Prescott, Ariz., 86303. Information provided by survivors.