1938
Virginia
2021
Virginia Ellen Vanunen
June 15, 1938 — December 17, 2021
It is with a sad heart that I have to inform you that my Mom Virginia Ellen VanDrunen (Virgie, Sammy & Mama Sam) went home to be with Jesus on 17 December 2021. She is in heaven with Grandma Rose, her dad Leonard, mom Alice and my older brother Blaine. She is a tremendous loss to my family and myself, as well as all who she touched in her 83 years of living. She was born in Drummond Montana on 15 June 1938. She is survived by her kids Evie, Ross, and Jim (myself). Her adopted Daughter Diane, her brothers Roger and Clayton. Also our kids and grand kids; Claire, Kaitlyn, Joshua, Jasmine, Doug, Crystal, Christian, and all of her great grand children (9 in all and soon to be 10 in the summer).
She was a constant good to all who met and knew her. She was a professional bartender for 53 years and worked in Alaska, Boston, and Oregon. She worked the lions share of her bartender days in Portland Oregon where she raised 7 kids. In Saint John's Oregon, she was a constant counselor and confidant to all she served and was well known and loved by most of the community there. She never had a bad word toward anyone unless they made her angry and she would 86 them after a stern scolding. She would usually forgive and forget. She truly possessed a a true grit personality with a loving heart. I grew up listening to her sing country and western songs everywhere we went. Favorite memories were her making Mama's Loving Valentines cookies for my whole class when I was in grade school. She did this after getting off work at 4AM and delivering them to my class by lunch. She always loved and made sure that her kids were well taken care of even into adulthood. I will remember her for her big heart and wonderful hugs that would welcome you and make all your worries fade to nothing. I miss her so badly it hurts to my soul. Mama, You are getting hugs from the biggest hugger there is. May Jesus keep you and I will see you again. Bye for now not forever Mama.
Virginia Ellen VanDrunen (aka Mama Sam, aka Virggie, aka Samy York). She changed her maiden name to York after marrying her third husband who was tied to the Boston Italian Mob. That's another story that will have to wait. Born 15 June 1938 died 17 December 2021. Rest/live in heavenly peace. Jim
She was a constant good to all who met and knew her. She was a professional bartender for 53 years and worked in Alaska, Boston, and Oregon. She worked the lions share of her bartender days in Portland Oregon where she raised 7 kids. In Saint John's Oregon, she was a constant counselor and confidant to all she served and was well known and loved by most of the community there. She never had a bad word toward anyone unless they made her angry and she would 86 them after a stern scolding. She would usually forgive and forget. She truly possessed a a true grit personality with a loving heart. I grew up listening to her sing country and western songs everywhere we went. Favorite memories were her making Mama's Loving Valentines cookies for my whole class when I was in grade school. She did this after getting off work at 4AM and delivering them to my class by lunch. She always loved and made sure that her kids were well taken care of even into adulthood. I will remember her for her big heart and wonderful hugs that would welcome you and make all your worries fade to nothing. I miss her so badly it hurts to my soul. Mama, You are getting hugs from the biggest hugger there is. May Jesus keep you and I will see you again. Bye for now not forever Mama.
Virginia Ellen VanDrunen (aka Mama Sam, aka Virggie, aka Samy York). She changed her maiden name to York after marrying her third husband who was tied to the Boston Italian Mob. That's another story that will have to wait. Born 15 June 1938 died 17 December 2021. Rest/live in heavenly peace. Jim
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