Virginia Mae (Clement) Carpenter

HURLEY, Wis. - Virginia Mae (Clement) Carpenter, age 93, passed away peacefully at the Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley on Sept. 23, 2022.

Born on Aug. 11, 1929, Virginia was the daughter of Joseph and Gladys Clement. She grew up in Saxon, and was a long-time resident of Ironwood Township, Michigan. She was preceded in passing by her husband, Emrill Carpenter; her parents, Joseph (Gladys) Clement; her brothers, Kenneth and Robert Clement; and sisters, Dordean Carlson and Mildred Bryant.

Virginia was a lifelong learner, going back to school after her youngest child started school, getting her high school diploma, then continued with the food supervisor correspondence course and classes at Gogebic Community College and the University of Florida. She was eager to get cell service to get online and learn how to use an iPad and iPhone to connect with her family and friends via email and Facebook, frequently leaving thoughtful comments.

She started her work career as a cook at Josephson's Nursing Home in 1966, then progressed to being the food service director at Gogebic Medical Care Facility in 1978. In 1981, she joined the Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency as the services director, and switched to part-time in 1996 as an in-home care giver.

She was a founding member of the Airport Home Extension, starting in 1958, and was a member

of the 46 Parallel Planters Gardening Club, American Legion Auxiliary (Saxon), Iron County

Senior Citizens Association, and Ironwood Township AARP. She also volunteered at the Villa

Maria in Hurley for many years.

In her final years, her grandson, Cory Carpenter, and nephew, Darrel, and his wife, Diane Carlson, were her loving, local caregivers.

Virginia was "love expressed in life." Always kind and inclusive, she never said a bad word about

anybody or anything. She loved to bake and garden, get awards at the fairs, and gift family and friends birthday and wedding cakes. She lived a life full of appreciation and joy, touching many with her smile and kindness.

She is survived by her children, Colin Carpenter (Jill) of Wausaukee, Clyde Carpenter (Patrice) of Lino Lakes, Minnesota, Cindy Parten (Harold) of New Brighton, Minnesota, Curt Carpenter (Diane) of Isanti, Minnesota, and Candis Carpenter of Fridley, Minnesota; a sister, Faye Roffers of Austin, Texas; and a brother, Ralph Clement of Ashland. She had 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren across the United States.

She will live on in our hearts forever.

A memorial service for Virginia will be held on Friday, Oct. 14, at St. Ann's Catholic Church in

Saxon. Visitation will be at 11 a.m., followed by Mass at noon. A luncheon and celebration of life will follow at the Saxon Community Center. Burial at the cemetery will follow.

The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home of Ironwood to honor Virginia's legacy of life. You can leave condolences or a tribute at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.