Virginia Michaelis Obituary

Passed away April 18th, 2023, in her home, surrounded by family after a recent diagnosis of cancer. She was born in Portland, Oregon to Clayton and Ruth (Penner) Valentine on May 6th, 1933. On November 5th, 1949, and at the very young age of 16, she married the love of her life James M. Michaelis. She boasted quite often of how proud she was to have been married for 73 years. She was blessed with three children; Cathy, David and Jim and she loved them very much. Her family grew over the years, and she loved and protected everyone with all of her heart. She was asked a couple weeks before passing what her favorite thing to do was and without hesitation said, "spending time with my family. "Virginia (also known as Nanny) loved cooking and baking and she always had a fresh homemade pie on the kitchen counter. She was also an excellent seamstress, loved to paint and looked forward to pinochle games with her friends. There was never a dull moment when you were around Virginia. She was a bit sarcastic, sharp witted, funny, and not afraid to speak her mind. Virginia often spoke of her love for travel and in early retirement she and her husband traveled the nation and visited almost every state. She loved being on the road and exploring the country and made plenty of stops at the antique stores along the way. She lived a full life and will be greatly missed by family and friends. In addition to her husband, James; Virginia is survived by her daughter, Catherine (Pat) O'Keefe of Bend, OR and son, James (Chris) Michaelis of Bend, OR; her grandchildren, Cheryl Doyal of McMinnville, OR, Mike (Audrey) Doyal of Redmond, OR and Adam (Angie) Michaelis of Portland, OR; 8 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren (with #4 arriving this summer). She was preceded in death by her son, David Michaelis in 1970 and her grandson, Andrew Michaelis in 2006. She was excited to go see them both in heaven. Sincere thanks for wonderful caregiving go to all of the hospice members that were helping her until the end. Her entire family appreciates the professional and gentle care given and ask that memorials in gratitude for Virginia's life be directed to Hospice of Bend.