Virginia Curren

Throughout her life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Virginia Curren touched the lives of so many around her in her own special way. She was gentle and kindhearted with a warm smile that made others want to be near her. Ginny led an active lifestyle throughout her journey that spanned nearly a century, and she lived to inspire and bless others through her talents in ceramics. With the love of her life by her side for more than 30 years, she took in so much of what life has to offer while seeing some of the most magnificent sights our country has to offer. A woman who was content in all things, Ginny will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

Life in America during the early 20th century looked drastically different from the America we know today. There were struggles with immigration and poverty while unsafe working conditions and a lack of child labor laws created great hardship for our nation’s youngest workers. WWI enveloped more and more of Europe and although President Woodrow Wilson declared that, “America was too proud to fight,” 1917 brought repeated hostile acts that left us with no choice but to engage in the fight for freedom. It was in 1916 that an active family from Vicksburg, Michigan, got a bit busier with the birth of a healthy baby girl on November 9th. Virginia LaFern was the fourth of ten children born to her parents, Frank and Vera (Rugg) Noel, and was raised in the family home in town alongside her sister and eight brothers.

The Noel family was always a bustle of activity with so many people living under one roof, and Ginny regularly helped out with her younger siblings as her mother was often pregnant or caring for the youngest family member. Her father worked hard as a section foreman for the railroad. Tragedy struck at an early age for Ginny with the death of one of her brothers as a result of a train accident. This became a life-changing event as it made the fragility of life so tangible to Ginny.

After graduating from Vicksburg High School in 1936, Ginny earned a meager living babysitting in the area. These were the days of the Great Depression when the unemployment rate soared above 25 percent, leaving countless Americans without work. With the work she did have Ginny earned only about five dollars a week.

New and exciting changes came to be when Ginny met the man with whom she would share the best years of her life. It was the late thirties when she became acquainted with Rosco Curren who lived just one street over. A bit shy, Rosco sent his sister over to ask Ginny out for a date and although she initially declined, he finally got her to agree a bit later. After falling in love the couple was married in 1939.

Rosco took his role as a husband to heart and made it a priority to provide for his wife so that she wouldn’t have to work. He often held down two jobs as he worked for both Kalamazoo County and Standard Oil Heating and Cooling. Every two weeks the couple celebrated his $40 paycheck with an evening out for dinner and a show.

On December 7, 1941, WWII arrived on our doorstep with the vicious attack on our naval base in Pearl Harbor. This was another monumental event in Ginny’s life as she had four brothers in the service at one time. It became even more substantial in her life when Rosco entered the service after they had been married just four years.

Together Ginny and Rosco enjoyed living in their home on Treasure Island Drive in Eagle Lake. They also traveled frequently together including trips to Yellowstone National Park, Niagara Falls, and Washington, D.C. Ginny was deeply saddened with his death in 1975.

Throughout her life Ginny loved ceramics. She had two kilns in their home and also taught classes there, too. Ginny’s favorite piece was Snow White, and it was such a treat for those who passed by the stone wall on the lake side of their property where she placed Snow White and all the dwarfs on display.

Along with ceramics, there were other things that enriched Ginny’s life. She always had a dog in the house including her first dog, Butch, that was known for his attitude, although she always had a special place for him in her heart and continued to talk about him long after his death. Her last dog, Wiley, became Ginny’s hearing dog as her hearing began to fade in addition to being her treasured companion. She also always kept birds. Ginny loved to crochet and had a liking for American Indian culture as evidenced by her small collection of dolls and figurines. She continued to travel some after Rosco’s death as she took a train trip through the Upper Peninsula and into Canada with her sister, Betty. The pair also went on an Alaskan cruise together where Ginny loved seeing bears, seals, and whales.

There were so many things to love about Ginny Curren. She was always upbeat and positive with a smile that others felt made her glow in such a beautiful way. Ginny made friends wherever she went and spoke fondly of her younger years. As she aged and moved into Pleasant Pines Nursing Center she continued to embrace the days she was given while bringing such joy to those around her. Ginny’a memory will be cherished by those she leaves behind.

Virginia Curren of Kalamazoo died May 5, 2012. Ginny’s family includes her sister, Betty Randall, and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. Ginny was preceded in death by her husband, Rosco Curren; her parents; and her brothers, Vern, Virgil, Victor, Robert, Frank Jr., Jack, Richard & Ray Noel. Visit with her family and friends on Tuesday from 4:00-7:00 at Life Story Funeral Home, Portage; 5975 Lovers Lane (344-5600). A Funeral will be held on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. at the same location. Please visit Ginny’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo, sign her memory book, or make a memorial donation to Borgess Visiting Nurse and Hospice.