Virginia Lee Wiese Brandon
May 24, 1923 – March 8, 2013
Born to this life May 24, 1923, with an adventurous spirit and a generous heart, Virginia Lee (Wiese) Brandon was born to eternal life March 8, 2013. In her 89 years she lived in seven US states plus Argentina and finally Canada.
Virginia married John Ahlman Brandon in 1944. He took her to her junior prom in North Platte, Nebraska and she never dated another man. At their parents’ insistence Virginia went to nurses training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and John attended the University of Nebraska. Soon John enlisted in the army, and on leave he and Virginia married in Chicago. When his military service was over, they were one of the many married couples who wanted to complete their college education, but it was before the days of ‘married housing’ so they lived in one of the scores of tiny travel-trailers inside the Athletic Field House at Colorado School of Mines. Virginia worked as a nurse, John graduated with distinction as a mining engineer, and both took care of their first daughter, Carol.
John’s career took the family first to mining towns in New Mexico, where their other two daughters Susan and Kathy were born, and then to other lead, zinc, silver and copper underground mines all over the western United States. Virginia often worked outside the home too: as a hospital nurse, school nurse, for Planned Parenthood, and eventually as a nurse anesthetist.
After Virginia and John bought their property in Campbell River in the early 1970s, Virginia owned and operated a deli, and some residential rental property. She worked for Communitas Supportive Care Society, and their mission was dear to her.
When she set herself a goal, she simply took one step toward it, and then another, without being overwhelmed by all the possible future difficulties. This, and her wide interests, allowed her to lease some land in Idaho and eventually raise a variety of farm animals, take a sailing trip out of Boston on a tall-masted schooner, backpack the Vancouver Island’s west coast Lifesaving Trail with her daughters, and sea-kayak through Washington’s San Juan Islands.
Virginia oriented her life around God, her family, and friends. She quietly and generously supported many charities. To the last she found people and their varied lives interesting. She enjoyed reading and watching the cruise ships float by like lighted Christmas trees on the Inland Passage.
She is survived by her daughters Carol Brandon, Susan Brandon, and Kathy Brandon, and their spouses; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; her dog Pulo-with-the-soft-fur; and many dear friends in the Campbell River community.
Her death leaves a hole in many lives. We hope you will smile when you remember Virginia as she embarks on her next adventure.
Virginia’s Celebration of Life Service was held at Discovery Community Church in Campbell River on March 9. Ashes will be placed by the family at a later date. If you wish to make a donation in honor of Virginia, please consider Communitas Supportive Care Society.
The family thanks all those who supported us during this time.