Formerly of La Grande
1914-2007
Virginia Dorothy Broyles, 92, of Hermiston and formerly of La Grande, died March 9 at her home. A celebration of life is planned for 11 a.m. Thursday at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande. Viewing will be available from 8 to 10 a.m. prior to the service.
Mrs. Broyles was born July 23, 1914, to James A. and Dorothy Ellen (Standard) Cunningham in Albion, Wash.
She was raised in Albion, Hooper and Spokane, graduating in the first senior class of John Rogers High School in Hillyard in 1933. During her high school years, she was a mainstay for her parents in the family business, the cafe Cunningham’s Lunch in Spokane.
Virginia married Chester W. Broyles April 24, 1940, in Couer d’Alene, Idaho. In 1941, the couple moved to La Grande, where Chet hired out as a conductor for the Union Pacific Railroad. Mrs. Broyles was a devoted home-maker and mother to their four children.
After Chet’s retirement in 1979, they began making toys and traveling to craft fairs, a hobby that gave them many hours of enjoyment. Mrs. Broyles was also an avid seamstress, supplying her family with many beautiful articles of clothing, quilts and dolls. One special project was her daughter’s wedding dress, which she appliquéd and beaded by hand.
Mrs. Broyles was active in Eastern Star and Daughters of the Nile, serving as Worthy Matron of Hope Chapter No. 13 in 1973.
Virginia and Chet moved to Hermiston in 1999, after 58 years in La Grande, to be near two of their children. Chet preceded her in death in 2000, after nearly 60 years of marriage.
Survivors include her sister, Lois Pacello of Spokane; children and their spouses, Robert and Nancy Broyles of Portland, Jim and Penny Broyles of Seaside, Steve and Michelle Broyles of Hermiston and Sheila and Rod Hardin of Hermiston; and 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, a brother, Wilton Cunningham, and an infant son.
Memorials may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children, Portland Unit, in care of Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande 97850.
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The Observer – Obituaries for the week ending March 17, 2007