July 19, 1952 - June 17, 2012
Virginia (Ginny) Lee Vader of Bend, Oregon, passed away in the early morning hours of June 18, 2012, as a result of a tragic cycling accident. She was 60.
Ginny was born, in Escanaba, Michigan, to Elnora and Leonard Vader and spent her childhood and youth years in Escanaba, Michigan, with the exception of a 6 month sojourn in Uruguay on a student exchange program in 1967.
Virginia thrived on challenge and adventure in all areas of life.
Following training in veterinary medicine at Michigan State University, Ginny set up a veterinary practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico. But her love and care for animals were gradually overtaken by her love and care for her fellow human beings, leading her to abandon her veterinary career and return to study human medicine, obtaining her MD from the University of New Mexico. She later specialized in surgical pathology at Johns Hopkins University and Vanderbilt University. For the last 10 years she has been a respected member of Central Oregon Pathology Consultants.
It was not only in her professional life that she enjoyed challenges. She loved the outdoors and spent much leisure time hiking, mountain biking and skiing, all of which brought her happiness and satisfaction. Virginias family was extremely important to her and she maintained close contact with her brothers and sister and their children. Only recently, she spent time with some of her brothers hiking in the tropical rain of Costa Rica and made time for a visit to her host family in Uruguay. Always young at heart, she was a beloved aunt for her many nieces and nephews and their children.
Survivors include her partner, Kevin Harrison of Bend, Oregon; her brothers, Charles Vader, Thomas Vader, John Paul Vader and Daniel Vader; sister, Amelia Vader; and 11 nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Leonard Vader and her mother, Elnora Vader.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Charles Foundation, "Cancer Center," designated in Virginias name: http://foundation.stcharleshealthcare.org/donate or by mail: St. Charles Foundation, 2500 NE Neff Road, Bend, OR, 97701 541-706-6996.
Dr. Virginia L. Vader