Jan. 21, 1953-April 15, 2024
Virginia Grace Wallis passed away peacefully in her home on April 15, 2024, surrounded by family. She was born in St. George, Utah, to Fergus Gascoigne and Grace Larsen Wallis — the second youngest of 10. Her family moved to Caliente, Nevada, when she was a child, and Virginia spent most of her life there.
She often said that some of her favorite childhood memories included hiding in trees, where the quiet allowed her to become absorbed in a good book and stealing vegetables from the garden. She adored her Daddy, whom she described as kind but also funny and mischievous, often playing pranks on others.
Like her dad, she had a puckish streak, teasing nieces and nephews, but always good-naturedly with a tell-tell twinkle in her eye. It wasn’t fun if someone’s feelings got hurt. She loved games, both board and video, as well as puzzles and mysteries — hobbies she enjoyed sharing with her family.
She graduated from Lincoln County High School in Panaca, Nevada, and spent some time at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah, later returning to Caliente. She began working at the U.S. Postal Service in the 1990s, where she was well-loved by the community – a warm smile behind the counter. She retired in 2012.
Her family was her heart. She rarely forgot to send a birthday card, condolences or congratulations. She traveled often to spend time with her siblings, nieces and nephews – all of whom she adored. Her home is overflowing with pictures featuring dearly loved faces.
She happily gave her time and energy to help her brothers and sisters with their kids. She cherished her time with them and held a special place in the hearts of many nieces and nephews. So, it was no surprise when she became a fixture in her older sister Helen’s life when the latter had two children, Alysha and Mike, unexpectedly in her 40s.
Living across the street, the kids, later including her grandniece Sam, spent much of their childhood with “Nina,” who took on the role of accidental co-parent happily. She never missed a birthday, holiday, concert or other special moment.
She was also there for them through many ordinary moments, from homework and scraped knees to all-nighters watching the Lord of the Rings Director’s Cut to early morning Nintendo binges. She was a constant, reassuring presence.
Nieces and nephews weren’t the only children to benefit from her love, fun-loving spirit and generosity. She gave it freely to a family friend’s son and daughter as they grew up alongside Alysha, Sam and Mike. These two spent many summers in her home as part of the family, playing computer games, visiting local state parks and camping nearby — they knew Nina’s somewhat comfortable futon awaited if temperatures dropped too low.
Virginia loved taking the kids to Cedar City, along with their friends and cousins, to watch matinees, hike in Cedar Canyon and attend SUU’s Utah Shakespeare Festival, where she introduced them to humbugs and tarts.
Mike had a disability and various health concerns, and Virginia was always there for him and Helen as support. She and Mike were very close, showering each other with affection. She was one of the last people he visited before he unexpectedly preceded her in death, explaining that he was packing for a trip and would be leaving soon.
She passed away a little more than a week before his birthday, giving Mike what their family assumes was a wonderful reunion for his 34th. Per her wishes, Virginia was cremated at Southern Utah Mortuary and will be laid to rest with him in the Caliente City Cemetery.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, sister Peggy Wogan, brothers Leon Kent and Richard Wallis, nephew Micheal Lundgren and grandnephews David Lundgren and Clay Isom, among others she loved and missed dearly.
She leaves behind her siblings Helen Lundgren, Louise (Roger) Bohman, Barbara (Roy) Irvine, Gai Wallis Hess, Stan (Charlotte) Wallis, Dean (Marilyn) Wallis, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends, as well as Kitty the cat.
In June, family and close friends are invited to a private ceremony in Caliente. Those who haven’t received information but wish to attend should send Alysha Lundgren an email. The community is welcome to join Virginia’s loved ones for a celebration of life in Caliente on June 8 – details will be shared at a later date.
“May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks.” — J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit.