Virginia Nead

Date of Death: May 20, 2010

Virginia Nead, 82, of West Lafayette, died at 4:56 a.m. Thursday, May 20, 2010, at her residence.
Born May 21, 1927, in South Bend, she was the daughter of the late Donald and Irene Stouffer Mark.
She graduated from Central High School in South Bend. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University in 1951, her Master of Arts degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago in 1955 and her Master of Science degree from Butler University in 1971. She also completed five units of clinical pastoral education.
On Sept. 18, 1954 she married Donald L. Nead in South Bend, and he survives.
Mrs. Nead was a public school teacher for 10 years. She then was associate pastor at First Christian Church of Lafayette from 1975 to 1980, then became director of pastoral services at Home Hospital from 1981 until her retirement on May 22, 1992.
She was involved with CASA, was a chair person for the Human Relations Commission of West Lafayette, and was involved with Story Tellers Association of Lafayette. She was on the board of directors and was past president of the Friends of Convocations at Purdue University; and was on the board of directors of the Lafayette YWCA, where she was a chairperson of the Domestic Violence Program Task Force and received the Professional Woman of the Year Award in 1988. She was also a member of the Purdue University Graduate Chapter of Mortar Board, and was their first president.
She enjoyed the performing arts, creative writing, swimming, hiking, biking, skiing and traveling throughout the U.S. and abroad, and on her 60th birthday made her first of two skydives.
Surviving with her husband are two sons, Tom Nead of Oregon and Mark Nead (wife: Karen) of Las Vegas; and a daughter, Deborah Nead-Work (husband: Daniel Work) of Lake Oswego, Ore.
Also surviving are 4 grandchildren, David, Alexander, Steven and Danielle. She was preceded in death by a brother, Don Mark.
Celebration of Life Service 10 a.m. Saturday, June 12, 2010, at Central Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Jeff Cover officiating. Friends will be received following the service. Those wishing may contribute in Virginia?s memory to the Purdue Research Foundation for the benefit of either the WBAA Radio or Purdue Convocations at 1281 Win Hentschel Blvd., West Lafayette, IN 47906-4182.< wi

Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc.

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I just learned of Virginia&s passing and am very sorry to hear of it!
She married my husband and I, in both our legal wedding (at her home) and our Handfasting Ceremony at the Fort. She was an incredible woman with a kind soul and a heart as big as Texas.

She reminded me very much of my own Grandmother, whom I had lost just prior to our being wed. I had a dress custom made for my grandmother to wear for that special day, of our Handfasting, but she was no longer with us and so I gave it to Virginia instead, to honor Mammaw. She looked so beautiful in it too. She gave off a light and gentile spirituality that I have only known in my grandmother prior to meeting Virginia. The world has lost 2 great beings, who did much good in the would.

We have thought of her often over the years and lost contact after her and Don moved out of the house they lived in at the time. Now I understand why I never received a reply to emails I sent her. This makes me so sad!

Much love and light Virginia, for I know you watch over us all now and are with you beloved God 3

Jeni Dove

Dear Don and Family: Arliss and I send our love and prayers to you all. What a joy it was to know Ginny and have her bless our life. God bless you all.

Mr. Nead, Mark, Karen and family:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during your loss. She was a very beautiful and thoughtful person. I remember when my grandmother had her 90th birthday party and my granddaughter was 1 month old and Virginia held her and would not let her go. She loved babies!! We have many fond memories of her.
Again, God Bless all of you.
Richard and Christine Valdez

5-23-2010

Dear Don and family,

Chris and I are profoundly sorry for your loss. Ginny was the healing spirit who reached out to the children in our Sunday School Class, back in the early 90&s, when she came to help us all deal with the tragic passing of the two little red headed brothers and their mother in their fall from the Purdue parking garage. It was always uplifting to see her smiling face whenever I ran into her at Home Hospital. She touched so many people&s lives in so many ways. We were some of those people whose lives she touched. We are grateful to have known her.

In Christ,

Larry and Chris Conway

Our thoughts are with Ginny&s family. Ginny married us in the Home Hospital Chapel, in March 1984. My mother had been involved in a car accident the week before we were getting married, and she was hospitalized. We thought we were going to have to postpone the wedding. When Ginny came to visit her and heard the story, she offered to do the wedding there at the hospital. We thought that was a great idea, and Ginny took care of everything. I was married where I was born. Needless to say, we&ll never forget Ginny. She turned a tragedy into one of the happiest days of our lives. We&ll carry her in our memories forever.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Prayers and thoughts with all of you and yours. Ginny was a neat lady who I greatly admired.

Emily

Dear Don and Family,

I want to express my deepest sympathy on the loss of such a caring wife and mother.

Geanie Jenkins-Dunbar
Central Presbyterian Church

Twenty four years ago my wife and I were married by my Mother&s very dear friend, Virginia Nead.

Today I was deeply saddened to hear of her passing.

Whenever I saw her, I would always ask about Mark and his Air Balloon expeditions out in Nevada.

My family will always have extremely fond memories of Virginia: Her kindness and spiritual generosity. What a wonderful lady.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Tom and Lisa Hershman

Don and family -

I am praying for the peace of God to surround you all. Virginia was a blessing to all and loved by many. My heart aches for your loss but rejoices in the fact that she rests in the arms of our Heavenly Father. May God grant you peace and joy in the knowledge that God is in control.

Shalom

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.