Virginia G. Zick

Virginia’s death was swift, but her life was marked by longevity. She lived in the same neighborhood in Denver for more than 70 years, worked for the Bureau of Reclamation for 39 years, and was married to Al, the love of her life, for 49 years.

Virginia Isabel Goin was born at her grandmother’s house on Jan. 12, 1926. After she married Albert L. Zick on Sept. 26, 1944, they moved just two houses away. They were living in that house when their daughter Joni was born in 1953, and stayed there until the Big Flood of 1965 – an event that became a sort of mile marker for Virginia, dividing life “before the flood” and “after the flood.” So after the flood, the family moved up the hill, where Virginia remained for several years after Al’s death in 1993. She spent the last 10 years or so in Aurora, closer to Joni and her family.

In 1951, Virginia began a long career in the accounting division of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. She retired in 1990 with a simple goal of eating a hot dog a day (she did, for many years). But she never slowed down, taking on a second career as a volunteer. She continued as treasurer of the Athmar Park Association and Valverde Presbyterian Church, positions she began before retirement. She assisted in the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s Office and on political campaigns for the Democratic Committee. And, most recently, she was an elder at St. Paul Presbyterian Church.

Retirement wasn’t all work and no play, however. Among her pleasures were needlework, cross-stitch, reading, crosswords and collecting frogs. She was a member of two Red Hat clubs and the Colorado Woman’s Christian Group. She attended a citizens police academy (she was a fan of sirens) and went on ride-alongs – although she was disappointed they never gave her “a piece.”

Two of her greatest loves were music and travel. She sang “super” alto with church choirs, the Columbine Chorale and South High School Alumni Choir, and was taking organ lessons.

Her travel seemed to know no bounds. She traveled often with Al, driving through the United States with a camping trailer, and loved the mountains. She accompanied her granddaughter’s high school band on trips to Hawaii and Florida; went to New England to see the leaves change; saw a hot air balloon festival in New Mexico; twice watched the Rose Parade in California; and took a cruise to Alaska with her special friend Leonard.

The U.S. wasn’t big enough. Her world tour included trips to Russia, Greece and Italy – her hopes were to convert the Pope but fell and injured herself on the steps of the Vatican-she did, however, get to ride in the Pope’s ambulance so she was very exited.

Virginia, who died July 18, 2011, at age 85, is now on her greatest journey. A kind, compassionate and adventurous woman, she led a full life and was loved by all. As one of her friends said, “The reward of a good life is a quick exit.” And that is exactly how she left us – quickly and with no true warning.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Al, and a baby daughter, Virginia. She is survived by daughter Joni Evers and son-in-law Don; grandchildren Vicki Iseminger (husband Chris), Randall Evers (wife Stephanie) and Jeannie Evers; and five great-grandchildren, Kyle, Keila, Michael, Ben and Carl.

She is now singing with the big choir in Heaven. Listen for her “super alto” voice in the daily breezes.