Virginia Middleton

Virginia J. Middleton, age 87, of Fort Collins, Colorado, died March 24, 2010 at Spring Creek Health Care Center. An intimate Memorial Service was held on March 25 at the nursing home with a dove release ending the service. Virginia Jacquelyne Cahill was born April 9, 1922 in Albany, NY to John and Louise Cahill. She lived for many years in New York City, and attended St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church as did several generations of her family. Her fondest memories were of her young- mid adult years spent in Greenwich Village, NY where she was surrounded by art & culture. For a time she was involved with the Beatnik movement and enjoyed befriending many creative people who inhabited the Village at the time. Her artistic medium was sculpture. It was also in NYC that she developed her deep appreciation for theatrical performances, good restaurants, and good conversation. She was very outgoing and looked forward to meet new people. She loved opera and classical music. In her later years, she became an avid reader, especially enjoying classic literature, biographies and political science books. She had a high regard for writers/ authors. She lived in NY until 1977, when she decided to move to Colorado with her youngest daughter. Although she reminisced about NY until her last days, she never returned and instead made Fort Collins her last home. She cultivated a great many friendships during her years in Fort Collins which, it is believed, helped her adjust and feel more at home in Colorado. Whenever her daughter, Kim, visited, she noticed that wherever they went, they always ran into several people she knew. From bus drivers to bank tellers to librarians, Virginia seemed to know everyone in Fort Collins. She took great pride in being a sharp dresser and adored dressing up and going out. Some referred to her as 'the hat lady' as she was very fond hats and was rarely seen without one. She was very proud of her Irish-American background, and true to her Irish nature enjoyed laughing and good sophisticated comedy/wit. She always wanted to visit Ireland, but never did. In recognition of this, a memorial oak tree will be planted in County Cork, Ireland in her honor with her name on a plaque. Her daughter, Kim is a potter and plans to make a porcelain urn to hold her ashes. Virginia also loved animals, especially birds and always tried to keep a full bird feeder outside her window even when in her later years when it became necessary to ask for help to do this due to her physical limitations. She is survived by: her daughter, Kim Burnham and son-in-law, Steven E. Burnham Jr. of Skagway, Alaska and her daughter, Susan L. Middleton of NY, NY. She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers: Walter, Jack, and Robert (Bob) Cahill. Her family requests that any memorial donations please be made to Larimer Humane Society in Virginia's memory.