Baker City, Oregon
Virginia Jean Halladay, 66, of Baker City, died May 28, 2003, at her home with her husband by her side.
Her celebration of life service will be held at Honeyman Park in Florence on June 28.
Virginia was born to Eleanor and Henry Willis on June 8, 1936, at North Platte, Neb. She moved to Oregon in 1955.
Jeannie will be remembered for her openness — she never knew a stranger. She had done a little of everything, from breaking horses to helping run a tavern at Florence. She was active in Special Olympics.
She and her husband, Russell, helped support fund-raising efforts for projects such as children’s trips to China.
They lived in Richland before moving to Baker City in 1998. While there, she was active in the Grange, served on the City Council and was mayor for a short time. She was also an EMT with the Eagle Valley Ambulance for a few years.
She especially loved being a foster parent and loved all children like they were her own. She will be missed by many.
Survivors include her loving husband, Russell of Baker City; her mother, Eleanor Hartman of Baker City; her children, Kathy Lott of Baker City, Al and Carol Free of Baker City, Ervin and Kay Burch of Missouri, and John and Shelly Ficek of Springfield; 15 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; eight siblings, Jim and Nan, Cliff and Pattie, Corky, Angie, Emma and Tim, Ida, Walcie, and Patrick; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Special Olympics through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, June 6, 2003
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor