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Virginia Peterson Stradling, age 85, left this earth to return home to her Father in Heaven on Friday, August 5, 2022. She was born June 21, 1937, in Shumway, Arizona to Lamar Andelin Peterson and Goldie Rhoton Peterson.
Virginia grew up in a family of 12 siblings and graduated from Snowflake High School in 1955. After high school, she met Jack Owen Stradling in Mesa at the Mezona Dance Hall where they later married in the Mesa, Arizona Temple for time-and-all-eternity on March 29th, 1958.
She was a life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, of the Mesa 2nd Ward, Pioneer Ward, and most recently Sossaman Estates and attending Wagon Wheel Ward while in Lakeside for the summer. She served unselfishly in many callings within the church, with her favorite calling teaching Relief Society. She also loved to go to the Temple weekly.
Virginia worked as a Social Worker and was a life-long student who had a master’s degree in Social Work from Arizona State University. She also participated in book clubs through-out her entire life and enjoyed them coming up to see her in Lakeside this summer.
Virginia was a loving Wife, Mother, Aunt, Grandmother, and Friend to all. Virginia and Jack were married for 62 years and are survived by their four children: Jordan Stradling, Darton Stradling (Sherri), Ashley Alvarez (Troy), Amber Lee (Mike) along with 15 Grandchildren, 11 Great Grandchildren, along with her brothers Scott, Jack, and Derl (Peterson) and many cousins and friends which she loved so dearly.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday August 27th, 2022, at the Mesa Lehi Stake Center at 1430 N. Grand, Mesa, AZ 85201, at 10am, with a visitation at 9am prior to the Services. Funeral will also be broadcast on Zoom.
That is a beautiful picture of my dear cousin, who I wish our paths crossed more often with. Sending my love and deepest sympathy to her family. May you feel Heavnely Father’s loving comfort and peace with you.
The world won’t be right without our bigger than life cousin. Sending her family our deepest love..and prayers for comfort. ❤️
Virginia was born and raised in Snowflake, Arizona where she attended grade school and high school. Virginia came from a heritage of educators and writers. Books and writing were in her blood. She began keeping a journal early in life and continued it throughout her life, capturing the people, events, hardships, triumphs, and all experiences that shaped her and her world view. It was important to her that she documented her history, which is a precious gift she has given to her progeny.
She joined a group of like-minded women who also valued literature and discussion, and an official book club came to be, established in 1974. It is still thriving. Amidst book discussions it also became our beloved therapy group, where we were able to process challenges we faced amidst life’s vicissitudes. During our years together there have been many in the group who have experienced losses of loved ones as well as other substantial challenges. We were there for each other. The most recent book club gathering occurred up in Virginia’s beloved White Mountains where the book club members gathered and reminisced about the many wonderful books and life experiences we’d shared.
As we visited there out on the covered veranda amidst the beautiful pines and oak trees, reminiscing about our many years, books, and conversations together, it was a serendipitous moment.
In hindsight, it was a sacred farewell to our dearly beloved Virginia.
Lilly Shultz
Sandi Harral
Debbie Yancey
Margo Johnson
Paula Holladay
Karla Rosenlund
We love Virginia and will miss her sweet smile and friendship. Sending our love to Mike and Amber Lee and all of her family.