Virginia Sarah Abshire was called home to her Lord on April 11, 2011. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. Virginia was born on December 6, 1920, in Essex, NJ – one of a set of twin daughters to John and Catherine Josephine (Kelly) Conklin. She grew up in Newark, NJ and met her husband, Andrew, while he was in the Marine Corps. Virginia and Andrew began their life together on December 26th, 1940. After WWII started, Virginia moved to northern Michigan, living on the Abshire family farm in Harlan, later moving to Traverse City until the return of her husband from WWII. After the war, Virginia and Andrew settled in Karlin, which is where she resided until the time of her death. Virginia was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, spending her life raising her children and helping to raise her grandchildren. Her life was spent caring for those she loved. Her joy was in her family. She enjoyed going for walks with her neighbors and sharing coffee and stories with them most mornings. She also loved cooking for her family very much, with holiday meals being the highlight of her year. Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew, her daughter, Mary, and her granddaughter, Beverly. She is survived by her children Martha “Pat” (Damon) Sterzik of Interlochen, Andrew (Paulette) of Benzie, William (Marilyn) of Kingsley, Ruth (Mike) Mitchell of Harrietta, and Peggy Abshire of Interlochen. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Kay, Pam, Don, Roberta, Angel, BJ, Christopher, Lisa, Renee, nineteen great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren. She will be leaving behind a legacy of love and shall forever be missed. Memorial contributions may be made to The Family of Virginia Abshire, c/o Kalkaska Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1457, Kalkaska, MI 49646. Arrangements were made by Kalkaska Funeral Home and Cremation Services. She was laid to rest beside her husband on what was his 95th birthday, April 16, 2011.