LIBERTY - Virginia Louise DuChene, 92, passed away Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, at O'Brien Memorial Health Care, Brookfield.

Virginia was born June 28, 1917, in Yakima, Wash., a daughter of William E. and Augusta Altman Stevens.

She was a member of Disciples Christian Church, Boardman.

She leaves her husband of 58 years, Alan F. DuChene of Liberty; son, Steven A. DuChene, daughter-in-law, Fanjing Yang and her son, Yisha Fan, all of Phoenix.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Thelma Stevens; and three brothers, Ralph, Leland and Robert Stevens.

Virginia was a true people lover, which was a factor in her ability to found the St. John, Ind., Federated Women's Club (GFWC) in 1960. After her husband and family were transferred to Masury by GATX, Virginia founded the Masury-Brookfield Women's Club in 1962.

Now in Ohio, her husband, a member of the Optimist Club in Indiana, joined the Sharon Optimists, and Virginia joined the Sharon Opti-Mrs. Club. Virginia soon found herself very busy, baking hundreds of large Santa cookies, which the Opti-Mrs. sold at 25 cents per cookie. The income from this endeavor was used to help young women wishing to become nurses. Many aspiring nurses were helped to meet their educational expenses through the sale of cookies by the Opti-Mrs. Club. After the end of that club project, Virginia continued to bake and decorate Santa cookies in quantity to give to Sunday school children and all her young relatives of several generations. She continued to make them until last year, when her health and eyesight failed.

Virginia had many interests and talents. She loved roses and her windowsills were crowded with African violets of many colors. She designed and created numerous quilts, pillows, doilies and table runners, including a special quilt for the Lincoln Continental Owners Club, which featured a different car in each panel.

Though Virginia may be remembered for many of these activities, she was best known for her generous and giving spirit. She loved to give gifts to friends and relatives and would rather give handmade gifts than to buy things in stores.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at Shiavone Funeral Home in Youngstown, where friends and family may gather at 3 p.m.

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