Virgina Chester

Virginia Chester never gave up. She never quit, no matter odds, the obstacles or the hurdles ahead. In more ways than one, Virginia was always the leader of the band. She was a loving wife, mother, teacher and friend, but more than anything, Virginia was an example to all who knew her. Virginias story began on a hot summer day in 1958, in the beautiful shoreline city of Muskegon, Michigan. Those were tumultuous times in this country, which was battling the Cold War, the Space Race, and racial tensions here at home. Yet on August 18, 1958, Harold and Margaret (McNarland) Bird found a reason to celebrate, with the birth of a beautiful baby girl, a daughter they named Virginia. Virginia was the second of the couples four children, joining her big sister Vivian, and her little brothers Harold Jr. and Vernon. The family lived in a country home on Bard Road in Muskegon, set on 40 acres of woods and natures beauty. The land their home sat on had a very high water table, however, so every spring when the rains came, they had to walk a half-mile to their home because the road was far too muddy to drive on! Despite the muddy commute, Virginia managed to attend Duck Creek School (the states smallest school district) every single day for eight years. She loved school, loved learning, and won attendance awards, too. She also knew exactly what she wanted to be when she grew up. Virginia came home one day in first grade, and proudly announced that she was going to be a teacher someday! Virginia and her family were all very close growing up, and did much together over the years. They attended Fruitland Evangelical Covenant Church and in the summertime they enjoyed camping at Pentwater State Park. After eight years at Duck Creek, Virginia headed off to Whitehall High School in 1972. To earn some spending cash, Virginia worked as a babysitter during high school, which was a great job for her, since she always loved kids. Virginia graduated from high school in 1976, and began attending Muskegon Community College to earn her Associates degree. To pay her way through school, she worked at Burger Chef, which proved to be a life-changing job for her, believe it or not. One day she hosted a going-away party for her Burger Chef boss, Steve Bowne. Steve introduced the pretty young Virginia to his friend, Tom Chester, and the sparks flew between them. They hit it off right away, especially after learning they not only were both headed to Western Michigan University that fall, but theyd be living in the same dorm! They had their first official date on August 14th, Toms birthday, and by the time they arrived at Western after Labor Day, they were in love, and were inseparable ever since. The happy couple was married on August 16th, 1980, after Tom graduated. Virginia had one class left and her student-teaching to complete, and graduated in 1981. The newlyweds started out living in Ruddiman Terrace Apartments, and moved six times in their first five years of marriage. They also became proud parents in that time, with the birth of their son Philip in 1983, and David rounded out the happy family in 1987. The couple eventually built their dream home in 1998, located on a 10-acre parcel of her parents property. Tom and Virginia designed the house themselves, and Virginia's brother-in-law Ira built it for them, making it truly a family affair. Virginia worked as a substitute teacher for 18 years, as fulltime teaching jobs were tough to come by. She loved teaching, though, and always jumped at the chance, maxing out the number of days she could work as a substitute every year. She particularly enjoyed teaching at Angel School or other inner-city schools in Muskegon. Virginia eventually found a fulltime teaching position at Holton Public Schools, where she taught sixth-grade science and later transferred to second grade. She loved teaching there, loved the children, and loved the teachers she worked with, as well. As wonderful a teacher as she was, Virginia was an even better wife and mother. They did so much together as a family, especially camping. They kept a trailer at Lonesome Lake near Baldwin, and almost every weekend in the summertime theyd pile in the car and head up to the lake. Other members of their family stayed there, too, and so many fond memories were formed there over the years. Virginia was also a very supportive mother, especially when her boys joined the school band. She became very involved with the Reeths-Puffer Band Parents, and even served as the sewing chairman for seven years, helping make many of their flags uniforms. She also traveled with them to competitions at the Pontiac Silverdome and to nationals in Indianapolis. Every summer for many years, she went to Band Camp with the kids at Hope College, which was one of her favorite things to do. She had a great time all week long, full of laughter and fun times. She was voted Band Parent of the Year in 2004. That same year, Virginia was diagnosed with cancer. Right from the start, she was determined to beat the disease, and not let it affect her daily life. She even had surgery in July, and still made it to Band Camp that August! Virginia battled the cancer with everything she had, and endured countless chemotherapy treatments. The doctors told her she would need chemo for the rest of her life, yet she remained upbeat. She never complained, or asked Why me? Rather, she put her energy into fighting it, and in setting goals for herself. She wanted to see Davids graduation, and her 25th wedding anniversary to her beloved Tom. Along the way, she learned things about herself, and that good things can come from adversity. Eventually, the chemo began affecting her kidneys, and she went on dialysis. She was determined to beat it, but her health slowly declined, and Virginia moved into the VNS Hospice House and the staff was wonderful there. But she missed the comfort of her home and they decided to moved her back. Sorrounded by her family she died on Friday, December 21, 2007. Virginia was a wonderful woman, who lived a wonderful life, a life full of family, fun times and fond memories. She was a woman of incredible strength, and a woman who never gave up. No matter the odds or hurdles ahead, she always had hope for brighter, better days. Never give up, that was Virginias greatest lesson, and the legacy that lives on in all who knew her. Virginia is survived by her husband Thomas Chester, 2 sons, Philip (Rachel Sebring) Chester and David Chester both of Muskegon; parents, Harold & Margaret Bird Sr.; 1 sister Vivian (Ira) Hite of Whitehall; 2 brothers, Harold (Myra) Bird Jr. of Muskegon, Vernon (Denice) Bird of Muskegon; Parents-in-law, Arthur & Jean Chester of Muskegon and many loving nieces and nephews. Services will be held on December 24, 2007 at 11:00 AM at Lakes Community Church of the Nazarene, with Rev. Tom Parks officiating. Interment at Fruitland Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Clock Life Story Funeral Home in Muskegon on Sunday December 23, 2007 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Memorials can be made to the family for distribution to Virginia's favorite charities. Please visit Virginias Memory Page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can share a memory or photo of her, or sign the online guest book.