Virginia May Charlo

Virginia May “Ginnie” (Sams) Charlo passed peacefully, in her sleep, in the early morning hours, at the Odd Fellows Home in Walla Walla, WA on January 20, 2023.

She was born July 11, 1928, to Cecil and Fila (McFadden) Sams in College Place, WA. She attended schools in the Milton-Freewater area, graduating from McLoughlin Union High School (Mac-Hi) in 1946.

She was employed at canneries and packing houses doing seasonal work. Shortly after high school graduation she was employed by Pacific Northwest Bell, in Walla Walla, WA as a telephone operator. She was employed briefly at Curcio Meats as a meat wrapper. She later was employed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District as a switchboard operator and clerk.

She married Ernest (Henry) Charlo on November 10, 1951, in Walla Walla, WA. They had three children and raised their family in Walla Walla. She loved her family deeply and devotedly. She was a participant in her children’s school and extra-curricular activities, especially their 4-H years. Her family especially enjoyed her homemade meatballs, potato salad, pies and cookies. Though not Italian by birth, she learned to cook the Italian dishes that her husband liked.

Her friendships were important to her, and she cherished and nurtured them. She kept in touch with classmates from high school through phone calls, cards, letters, and attending class reunions, and in later years “Lunch Bunch” gatherings of high school friends.

Ginnie had a keen interest in genealogy and spent many hours researching her ancestry, collecting vintage family photos, and visiting older relatives and listening to their stories. She kept in touch with her extended family with phone calls, cards, letters and attended family reunions.

Never wanting to be the center of attention herself, she was truly interested in other people, and quick to offer an encouraging word or compliment. She was a dedicated correspondent. She sent thoughtfully chosen cards to all of her friends and family for all occasions, events, holidays and milestones. She sent many letters throughout the years to keep connected with distant family and friends. She continued this until her health did not permit her to do so.

Sunday drives with her family were a favorite pastime for many years. She loved the scenery around the Walla Walla valley and the Blue Mountains. Happy times were spent at the family cabin at Tollgate, and many huckleberries were picked and found their way into pies. She enjoyed family vacations to the Oregon coast and to Wallowa Lake. She never tired of the scenery. Probably her favorite view was the foothills of the Blue Mountains from her own living room window.

She fought her health challenges with strength and persistence. Even as her health was declining rapidly and she became more frail, a spark of her characteristic sense of humor would surface, surprising the staff at Odd Fellows and her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest; daughter, Debra; her parents, and brothers, Marvin and Harold. She is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Fazzari (John); son, David Charlo (Jenny), both of Clarkston, WA. She is also survived by grandchildren, Breann (Justin) Klinginsmith of Clarkston, WA and Cory (Mike) Webster of Coeur d’Alene, ID. She has four great-grandchildren, Parks and Boyd Klinginsmith of Clarkston, WA and Noelle and Jameson Webster of Coeur d’Alene, ID.

Interment services will be private for immediate family only. Memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, through Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362.

Your struggles are over, Mom.  Rest in peace.  We love you.