Virginia Ruth Carpenter

Virginia Ruth Carpenter passed away peacefully at her home of 60 years in Oceanside, CA on Monday June 1, at the age of 91. Until her last day she was able to spend time with those who loved her very much.

She was born on November 16, 1928 to parents Albert and Anne Gramlich. Coincidentally her grandparents of German descent, each retired from New York and Wisconsin to the very same street in San Bernardino allowing her parents, Albert and Anne to meet and marry.

Raised with an older sister Lois, the family made numerous cross country trips to visit family relatives. Along the way, they stopped to collect water samples from various lakes and rivers which she bottled and labeled to form a collection we still have today.

After high school she attended San Bernardino Valley College, then transferred to complete her nursing degree at USC, where she graduated as part of the very first Bachelor of Science Nursing program. Her nursing classmates maintained a special bond and participated in yearly reunions.

She married the love of her life, Rudy Carpenter Jr., meeting him at San Bernardino Valley College, September 15, 1951, at Mission San Luis in Oceanside, CA, and became part of a large original California family. With this new family she learned much of its Spanish heritage and adapted her cooking skills to include the family favorites. The family enjoyed music, dancing, and unforgettable get-togethers during holidays and beyond.

As their married life began in Carlsbad, CA, she started her nursing career at Camp Pendleton Hospital. However, with the arrival of children, she put her professional career on hold to raise her family. She returned to work as a nurse for the Cardiff School District. Following the loss of her dear Rudy in 1988, she continued her career path for 28 years until her retirement in 1998.

She devoted her life in service to others as exemplified by her time at St. Anne’s Episcopal and Grace Anglican Churches. She served the homeless at Brother Benno’s and hosted Bible Studies in her home for years. She received the Spirit of St. Anne’s Award twice in 2001 and 2004 which was rarely repeated. She led by example and her strength and joy were contagious.

We will remember her love of hydrangeas and jacaranda trees. She loved animals, enjoyed nature shows and all that PBS stations had to offer.

Her family legacy lives on as she is survived by her 4 children; Patti and her husband Lindsay Munoz, Randy Carpenter, Bear and his wife Tammy Carpenter, Jani and her husband Mitch Dubski; 8 grandchildren; Lindsey, Michael, Ben, Josh, Zach, Jordan, Jaelyn, Joseph and 9 great grandchildren. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and will leave cherished memories to so many relatives and friends. She will be sorely missed, but we send her happily and lovingly to her heavenly home and into the hands of the Lord.

A private burial will be held at Eternal Hills and a future Celebration of a Life Well Lived will be announced.