Virginia May Byrd, a longtime upper Skagit Valley resident, passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon.
She was born on November 8, 1928 in Spokane, Washington, the daughter of Harold & Helen (Goltz) Hinshaw. The family made their home for a short time in Colville, WA before settling in the Hamilton area. Virginia was raised and attended grade school in Hamilton, she graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School, and then attended business college in Seattle where she earned a degree in accounting. She worked briefly in Seattle before returning to the Skagit Valley.
In 1951 she was united in marriage to Harley Davis in Mount Vernon and they made their home and raised their family in several locations until returning to Skagit County. Harley passed away unexpectedly in 1967. In 1970 she married Jody Byrd and together they made their home in Hamilton until his death in 1988.
Virginia worked as an accountant for Mount Baker Hardware and Fred Nelson Chevrolet in Sedro-Woolley for many years. She later worked as a bartender and then in housekeeping for Seattle City Light near Baker Lake. She enjoyed watching the hummingbirds around her home and kept multiple feeders full at all times to keep them coming around. She also loved family gatherings and activities so she could spoil her grandchildren.
Virginia is survived by her children and their spouses, Diane & Butch Hoyle of Birdsview, Doug & Rhonda Davis of Sedro-Woolley and Terry & Beverly Davis of Birdsview; her brother, Ron Hinshaw and wife Nina of Layton, Utah and her sister, Janice Morgan and husband Gene of Wickersham, WA; 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Harley & Jody; sister, Joyce Nielson and brother, Little Ronnie Hinshaw.
The family requests that memorials in honor of Virginia be made to North Puget Cancer Care, 2000 Hospital Drive, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284 or Prestige Care Center, 1035 E. Victoria Ave, Burlington, WA 98233.
A Graveside Inurnment Service will be held at the Hamilton Cemetery on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 1:00 PM with Pastor David Hodgin officiating.
We have the privilege to be considered a part of the family; and, even though Virginia is 8 years older than us kids, we remember her playful but sometimes stern directions to us “little ones”….She enjoyed giving us kids a bicycle ride down the hill and across the tracks…I’m sure that Janice, Greg(pete) and I gave her fits at times; but all in fun…we will miss visting with her and seeing her at family events…….with love–John and Joan Harrington