Virginia Laverne Wiersma (Gigi) was welcomed into the comforting arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus on Friday, March 20, 2020 at 10:00 pm in her home, surrounded by her loving husband and family members.
The family is pleased to make Virginia’s virtual Memorial Service available.
Follow this link for the video.
Born January 1934 in Chicago, Illinois, she was the second of four children to Theodore and Mary Janecyk. She married her high school sweetheart Charles in 1952, and the couple welcomed four children and two foster children into their lives.
In 1974, Chuck and Virginia moved the family to Tucson, Arizona, where together they owned and operated a family business for 25 years.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, her brother Lawrence, her son-in-law John Smith, and her grand-daughters Kristin and Abigail.
Virginia is survived by her devoted husband of 67 years; her children Amy (C.R.) Oldham, Shelly (Roy) Lingo, Taryn Smith, Richard (Laura) Wiersma, Clyde (Nora) Wisk, and Gary Wisk; her sister Gail (Bob) Normoyle, and her brother Ted Janecyk. Memorable family functions were the highlight of her life, to include grandchildren and great grandchildren: Haley Henning (Caleb, Corbin), Marcus (Christina) Henning (Annalise, Sofia, Isabella), Cheyenne (Dylan) Disinger (Brynslee, Braxton), Josiah Oldham, Daniel Oldham, Elizabeth Oldham, Sienna Wiersma, Lucas Wiersma, Landon Wiersma, Fareez Ismail, and Amber Smith.
She shared with a friend that she felt her greatest accomplishment in life was to teach her kids to love God and to be kind to others. One of her last messages during her recent hospitalization was, “My family did everything they could for me and much, much more.”
During her final moments, a CD of her favorite hymns was on in the background. The song “Precious Lord” was playing as she took her last peaceful breath.
Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.
When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, linger near,
When my life is almost gone,
Hear my cry, hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall:
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.
When the darkness appears
And the night draws near,
And the day is past and gone,
At the river, I stand,
Guide my feet, hold my hand:
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.
To Our Beloved Virge, Mom, Grandma, Gigi, Gina, Virgie, Babe, and Friend,
We, who share your faith, will cling to God’s Promise that we will once again be with you in Our Heavenly Home.
“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
Romans 10:9-10 NLT
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be donated to:
Answers for Life Pregnancy Center
627 N. Swan Road
Tucson, AZ 85711
A memorial service will be held at a later date, once the family is able to confirm details.
Use “Leave a Reply” below to sign our guest book.
Our Beloved Gigi 
Amy, What a beautiful tribute to your mom. She left you with precious memories.
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I am so sorry to hear about Virginia’s passing. It seems as though she has always been a part of my life. She lived next door to me for many years, spent countless hours entertaining me and teaching me the way to Christ. I will always hold fond, loving memories of her. My sincerest sympathies to all of her family, whom I know she loved deeply!
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I remember her when I was a very, very young lad that went to the same church as they did. We always thought what a beautiful lady she was, and how very kind she was to everyone!!
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This is absolutely beautiful!! I can’t tell you how very sorry I am for your great loss, what a precious woman!! It was evident, her family meant the world to her! Shelly, you really resemble your beautiful mom! Sending love, prayers and comfort in this time!!
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This is beautiful, Bob and Gail
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I enjoyed knowing this lovely lady. We had some fun lunches together. Thank the Lord for sending her in my life.
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She was a wonderful Godly woman!!!! Always ready to share her faith and her love for Jesus. She loved her husband and family so much and very proud of each one. She will be missed, but knowing she is in the arms of Jesus is comforting. Welcome home good and faithful servant.
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Virginia was a true example of a Godly Woman. She was such a kind soul and I will miss our fun times together. I was her Banker for many years and she would follow me every time I changed branches. When I retired she told me I would always be her Banker no matter what! I loved this woman! Happy memories will carry us all through. Rest in piece, Beautiful Virginia!
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Thankyou for all these beautiful pictures. I have so many memories of all of us growing up together when I worked st Temco.
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I knew them during the time they came to Open Door Baptist, I always greeted them at the door as a usher and Virginia and her husband was always congenial with a smile, we always appreciated them coming to the services to be with the family, our hearts go out to Rich and family for a great loss, may God bring peace and love to all the family!
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My sweet Virginia. I will truly miss her, she was a special lady. Virginia always had wonderful family stories.
Her family was so precious to her.
I will miss the amazing cookies she would bring me when she would come in to get her hair done.
My love and prayers to all the family.
I love and will miss you immensely Virginia..
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– I never told you –
Grandma, remember how I always joked with you about dropping me on my head when I was a baby? It was typically right after you finished scolding me for something I shouldn’t have been doing. With a little smirk, I teased and said “see Grandma I turned out this way because of you, remember when you dropped me on my head?” Although we both know you never dropped me, instead of allowing me to get hurt at all you sprained your ankle and got all bruised up to save my fall.
I have looked up to you and Grandpa my entire life. I have watched and listened for over 30 years and have learned from you how powerful faith, love, and family can be. I know It’s a heavy burden in this world to be someone’s role model and I never told you this before. But I’m telling you now, Grandma you have never let me down.
I always wanted to tell you how important you are to me and I am telling you now because all of those years of watching and listening has prepared me for this moment. I decided I would tell you now, now that you are in heaven because you taught me about God and spoke to me about heaven. You told me that one day you would be going to heaven. You told me how amazing heaven would be and I knew that day would be the best day to tell you. You taught me about prayer and showed me how to talk to God. Although I don’t pray nearly enough when I do pray it’s from the heart. I am not sure how it works but tonight my prayer is that you get my message.
Grandma, I am so lucky to have you as my hero, my role model, my grandma, and now my guardian angel. I know that you are here with me now and you can hear every word. I know even with just the memory of you I am a better and stronger person. I love you very much and look forward to the day I can see you again.
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Such a beautiful tribute to such a beautiful lady. I will miss you until we meet again.
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2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness. May all of our sweet memories of our times together sustain us until we meet again.
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Gigi I just love all her names + beautiful life + pictures + family! I didn’t know she was born in Chicago by me. Her life A Nonstop Testimony to Who Jesus Really is! That is a perfect song! Thank You All! I am sad + Rejoicing with all of you. Since my Precious Daughter Amber went to Heaven last year I know the pain, saddness + tears + also the Joy of knowing they are Perfect + Pain Free With Jesus! Oh what a Glorious Day when we meet Our Precious Awesome Peaceful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Heaven! Can’t Wait! I am praying for you all! Rejoicing but it still hurts + takes a chunk out of your hearts!♡!
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I was glad to be able to meet Virginia and very glad to be able to live with her and Chuck and Josiah and Nathan. She and Chuck were very generous. She had so much energy- and this is when she said she had slowed down. She was always ready to talk or share a joke or share food or play a game. She was a witness of Jesus. I am proud to have known her.
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Taryn and Family,
What a beautiful web page in memory of your mom & matriarch.
So sorry for your loss. Sounds like she demonstrated all that is good. We can only hope that we too can show the generations to come that God is good and love abounds.
I will keep you all in my thoughts & prayers as you deal with your loss but God’s gain.
Your neighbors, Rob & Donna
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Gigi, thank you so much for the privilege of knowing you. You will be surely missed by everyone you’ve known and met. God in Heaven is waiting for your safe journey home.
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I only met Virginia a few times but, she was always so sweet and kind. When I brought my mother down to the area the two of them had fun chatting and remembering the era’s they grew up in, and I know if they had met earlier they would have become good friends.
I know she loved her Family a ton, and they loved her back equally.
She had a great sense of humor and would have great come backs that would always make one smile or laugh.
I just wish that I might have gotten to know her more but, circumstances did not allow for that.
My prayers and best for the family as I know it is hard right now.
Just remember that you will need to allow your grief but, also remember the fun, the love, the laughs you all shared through her sharing of life with you through both the good times and the bad times.
Gigi would want that of all she has touched in her wonderful life.
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I was not honored to meet Mrs. Virginia; however, I see her love for God, and her family, through the mark she left on her daughter, Amy. The Ruiz family is praying for you as you both grieve and celebrate her passing. God bless you.
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Beautiful memories prayers to the family blessings.
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What a lovely tribute.
Condolences to my best friend, Taryn and her precious family who will miss their GiGi. I’m sorry I didn’t know her outside of brief encounters.
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What a lovely lady. I was proud to be her cousin. I will miss her emails and calls. This was a perfect tribute to her. The replies showed it best how much her family meant to her, and to all she loved. She will be so missed.
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My mom… she loved every one of us kids with every fiber of her being, and that includes our spouses. Mom encouraged us, prayed for us, and gave to us so generously her time, energy, and resources. She adored the grandchildren and great-grandchildren and showered them individually with love and attention. I think it’s fair to say that each one of us was made to feel like we were her absolute favorite. Family times were special times, and Mom was the hub that kept our family wheel spinning.
Through the years, together with Dad, they showed us by example what true marital commitment, unconditional love, and selfless devotion looks like. Up until the very end, their tender moments spoke volumes. What a thrill that we kids were able to surprise them with a 65th wedding anniversary celebration back in 2017! Operation Olaf will forever be etched in my heart.
I told Mom in the hospital, “I’m never going to be ready to say goodbye to you”. So… until we meet again, I will miss her phone calls and our long talks about everything under the sun. I will miss their overnight visits, their cheers at the kids’ sporting events, and our 9-hole and dice battles. I will miss Mom rearranging my knick-knacks and giving me advice on my latest and greatest household projects. I’ll miss the baked treats and special gifts she’d bring over; she never came to visit empty handed, and we seldom left her house without some kind of care package.
Beautiful, generous, kind-hearted, dependable, smart, compassionate, full of energy, an amazing homemaker, devoted wife, loyal friend… my mom.
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A big thank you to everyone who has visited this memorial page. What a gift to read all the sweet words and memories from those who knew and loved Gigi. God Bless you all!
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My Mom and I had the absolute pleasure to meet Virginia and Taryn at the cancer center during my Moms second infusion…
Our hearts go out to your family during this heartbreaking time. Thank you so much for the friendship you both offered to us as we were grieving the heart break of my moms diagnosis and the fear that comes with the treatment.. we will always be grateful for your warmth. Wishing you peace and the comfort of your beautiful family. Love, Tafi and Leslie.
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I cannot express in this post the amount of love, admiration and respect I had for Mom.
Nora always said how amazed she was of Mom’s high energy. We pray to have her energy later in life.
I will miss her loving smile and her frown look followed with Clyde !!!……..then a loving lecture.😁
I will miss our phone calls and 10 minute one way conversations on politics.
Because of our Lord’s sacrifice on the cross, our separation is only temporary.
We love you Mom. 😍
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I’ve been struggling to find the words to express how much I miss my Grandma. She has been a constant in my life for 35 years and it’s still hard to think of her not being here. In the past, I’ve never been able to handle loss well. I’d get depressed, angry, resentful and turn my back on faith and God. But this time I know that wouldn’t be what my Grandma would want for me. She always wanted to see me happy, she was always telling me to smile. On one of my last visits, she sent me home with a book on loss. She knew I would need it. I’m still not at the point where I can open to the first page and not cry, but I’ll keep trying. I’ll do it for her. I’ll never stop missing her and being grateful that I had her as my Grandma and my kids had her as their GiGi. She had so much love to give to each and every one of us and she provided us with so many memories over the years.
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I was Virginia’s Telephonic Nurse Case Manager at Cigna beginning in November 2019. From my first call to her I knew she was a special lady with a wonderful family. She was so joyful and positive through her journey and always asked how I and my family were even through her own illness and struggles. And I knew she meant it. She cared for others. What a sweet, loving, special person she was. And what a lovely family she has and loved so much. Taryn, she loved you so much and you took such good care of her along with her husband and your siblings. Not everyone has that. Be proud and cherish the wonderful memories you all gave each other. I am so happy she knew Jesus. She is with him now. God bless you and your family ❤️
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Dear Virginia, I loved our lunches and conversation together. Thank you for inviting me to help you with decorating decisions in your beautiful home.I so much appreciated your confidence and trust in me. Also thank you for the times
Chuck came after hours to check our furnace or AC. You were a very understanding wife. You lived your faith with your kindness and reaching out to others, your high morals, and sterling character. It was a privilege knowing you and your family. May this continuing journey be one filled with only the love and kindness you have shown to others.
Good bye dear friend. May your family be enveloped in the happy memories.
With the most sincere condolences
Marjie and Larry
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I’m going to be the first to write a second message… I hope you all know how much your notes mean to our family! Your thoughts and remembrances are very special and they allow us to see Gigi through your eyes. Every day is a new challenge or adjustment, but God will continue to see us through. Thank you and God bless you and your families during these uncertain times.
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To Chuck and family, I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you all at this time. May she rest in peace.
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My Aunt Gina was a great mom, sister, wife, friend, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and spiritual woman! When I was growing up and my own family didn’t go to church on a regular basis, my Aunt Gina and Uncle Chuck and their family would pick me up on Sunday mornings and take me to their church in Illinois. Sometimes we would all go back to their house in Lockport and have lunch together and hang out. I will never forget if I slept overnight and asked to have a cup of coffee with the adults in the morning, Aunt Gina would get a book out reading something to me that I was stunting my growth as a child drinking that coffee! Now I laugh about this because I ended up pretty tall so not sure the coffee stunted anything! I have told this story to many people and it always makes me smile remembering my aunt. She was my mother’s older sister, and always helped to take care of their mother, Mary, and had her for long visits in Tucson. She loved her husband, Chuck, unconditionally. They just went together so perfectly. She always opened her house to visitors coming to Tucson wanting to get some Arizona sunshine during the cold Chicago winters. She was also a great cook! Aunt Gina will be sorely missed, but I know she is safe with God in heaven and now out of pain. RIP Aunt Gina.
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As soon as I was old enough to learn the difference between life and death, I wondered what a loss, especially of a parent, would feel like. Thankfully, God in his infinite grace and loving-kindness spared me from that experience for a long time. Now that the bridge has finally been crossed, the loss doesn’t feel good. But, much joy remains due to Jesus’ assurance of peace for today and restoration with Him in the future.
I have a lifetime of memories that remind me of mom’s love, generosity, faith, character, work ethic, loyalty, commitment, concern for others, and last but not least – tendency to worry about risky activities of her children or grandchildren. Looking back, mysteries remain over somehow being allowed to purchase motorcycles as a teen, solo backpacking in the Grand Canyon upon moving to AZ, etc. Praise God her worries are over and her joy now complete.
I’m thankful Mom stressed at an early age my need to know God, have a relationship with him, and share this with others. This was reinforced when, on a number of occasions, I would return home to find papers strewn all over the floor around her while she shared Bible stories and the Gospel with a neighbor or friend, for many hours at a time. Our car was often packed like a church van, transporting neighborhood children to and from Sunday School.
Our family will certainly miss her love, spirit, energy, and hospitality. But she taught us well, and I am confident with God’s help we will persevere and overcome the challenges ahead.
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I want to take a moment and thank everyone for your emotional and spiritual support and prayers. It warms the heart to know that family and friends are lifting us up during this time of loss. Much thanks also for your physical gifts such as cards, meals for the family, and financial support sent to the Answers For Life Tucson pregnancy center in her memory. We take comfort knowing that when she died on Friday March 20th at 10 p.m., immediately she was with the Lord for all eternity. What assurance do we have? Back when Virginia was 16 years old my mother and father and I invited her to join us at an evangelistic crusade at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Although she was raised attending a church, it was there at that service that she surrendered her heart to Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for our sins and rose again. At that point she finally had a personal relationship with Christ. This past weekend, she spent her first Easter with the risen Savior!
–Chuck and Family
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I found my Aunt to be a very sweet and wise woman who had a tremendous impact on me from my childhood to the present. I loved our conversations and correspondence in recent years. I always appreciated her insights and sound advice. She will by me be fondly remembered and missed.
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What a lovely tribute to a lovely woman. I so enjoyed the time I spent with her over the years – and the time we had together because our daughters were dear friends. I have been very grateful for the friendship I found in Virginia and Chuck and their wonderful daughter Amy. I will miss her. God be with all of the family.
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I knew Virginia as a business owner. She ran her family company with a no nonsense attitude while allowing employees to bring their babies to work. Strong and soft. Efficient and kind. She was a wonderful woman. I just spoke with daughter Taryn today. I asked when Virginia had passed. She said ten o’clock on March 20th. I was stunned…I was in a car crash at that very moment. My car was totaled, but I didn’t have a scratch! Do you think she saved me on her trip to heaven? I think of her and her family often. I hope they find peace in knowing she had a full life, with a large family that adored her.
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There are no words to express how much I’ll miss my Grandma! She was such a good role model and godly example to me and the whole family. I have so many fond memories with Grandma, like baking, rummaging through her jewelry boxes, sleepovers, and watching Shirley Temple movies together. I will also miss her phone calls, delicious lemon cake, spaghetti, and her joy over my piano playing! I’m so grateful for the years I had with her, and even though it will be hard not seeing her at her home or family gatherings, it’s comforting knowing she isn’t suffering horribly anymore. I look forward to being with Grandma again someday in Heaven!
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Sienna, I am so happy that you have these special memories with Grandma. She and I did many of those things when I was growing up as well and they are fond memories to have. She and Grandpa are both so proud of you. Grandpa showed me the beautiful rose you drew for Grandma. You are so talented!
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I knew Virginia from her home in Utah. From the moment I met her, I knew she was a choice individual. She always cared for others. She showed her faith in God, she acted in faith in everything she did. She reached out her hand in friendship and love as the Savior would. She was not judgemental, but accepting of others. I feel sad for the pain she must have gone through and feel even worse that I couldn’t be near her in her time of need. I love you and hope your dear husband Chuck can know that you are remembered. Thank you for your kindness and friendship.
Chuck, please let us know if you need help with your house in any way.
Lisa Crookston-neighbor in Layton
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In all my hopes and dreams, when I was growing up and then a grown up, I often prayed for the one I would marry someday. I also prayed for his parents and his family. I occasionally heard tales of scary mothers-in-law and would wonder what that would be like ☺. I never got to know, because God gave me a beautiful (inside and out), kind, generous, godly, and loving mother-in-law and friend in Mom/Virginia.
I remember that day (vividly!) when I first met her. I was invited for dinner at the Wiersma home, and I would also get to meet some of Rich’s family. How nervous I was, but I was also excited to meet the family of the man I was falling in love with. Not only was Mom very welcoming of me, I could feel an excitement emanating from her…her son had brought home a girl for them to meet!
Over the years, she was such a support to me and my family…loving, prayerful, generous, and always happy to be with each of us.
I have too many memories to recall here, but I am so thankful for each one that I hold dear in my heart.
How thankful I am that I got to know her, love her, be loved by her, be her son’s wife, celebrate some of the best days of my life with her, laugh with her, cry with her, eat with her, be the mother of some of her grandchildren, hug her, admire her, travel with her, worship with her, learn from her, and more…
I think of things I want to tell her. Someday we will be reunited in Heaven; what a day of rejoicing that will be! Until then, I will continue to talk to her in my heart and even out loud sometimes, and I will celebrate, for the rest of my days, my beautiful and beloved mother-in-law.
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Aunt Virg was one of a kind. Her constant smile, always making you laugh and taking care of everyone else was first on her list.
So glad I got to have you in my life, even if only for a short time. Love and miss you. Shirley (Glenn and Tyler) Sharpe
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As I face this Mother’s Day morning with a hole in my heart and tears streaming down I ran across this little quote online: “A Mother… When you’re a child she walks before you to set an example. When you’re a teenager she walks behind you to be there should you need her. When you’re an adult she walks beside you so that as two friends you can enjoy life together.” To my friend… I sure do miss you Mom! Happy Mother’s Day to moms everywhere and to the special moms in my life – Taryn, Amy, Laura, Nora, Haley, Christina. Your hard work and sacrifices do not go unnoticed, and the values you instill and the love you share pass down from generation to generation.
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I have known the family since Amy and CR became good friends and Godparents to my dear Jennie & Joe Cross and their 5 children many years ago in Arizona. I have enjoyed Virginia and Chuck’s company at many family events. I will miss the occasional lunch and shopping with Virginia when she was in Utah.
She was a lovely lady and will be dearly missed.
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“Two lives, two hearts, joined together in friendship, united forever in God’s love.” Today, with love and admiration, we remember the vows of marriage made 68 years ago.
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Virg was my best friend since we met at Calumet Elementary School in Calumet Park, Illinois. Over the years we have stayed in touch over the phone and on the several get together trips we have taken. I miss her so much. It was such a joy to have her as a friend I could call and talk with. I am looking forward to one day meet her again in heaven.
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Our beloved Mom, Gigi, married the best Dad in the world. Godly, honest, hard-working, loyal-a man who honors his commitments. Your family celebrates this special day. Love you Dad!
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I’ll second that!
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Some nights are harder than others. I miss you, Grandma.
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Mom joined my dream the other morning… we were cooking, hosting a gathering. Definitely a slumber I was disappointed to wake up from. But God is good, and we know our weeks, months and years of separation in this world is but a dot in the context of eternity.
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Grandma, Justin and I took the boys to California to surprise Corbin with his first beach experience. On the way out there I told Justin that I was thinking of you and how I’d always tell you about our vacations AFTER we made it home safely so you wouldn’t have to worry too much while we were gone. Thank you for loving us so well all these years and continuing to be in our hearts and minds.
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