Virginia Lee Paddock

Virginia was born on March 10, 1926 in Anaconda, Montana to Forrest Lee Campbell and Myrtle Storey Campbell. She died in Boulder on April 23, 2016. She grew up in Anaconda, graduating from Anaconda High School before attending the University of Idaho in Moscow. She returned to Anaconda and married Clarence "Clancy" Wells Jr. on October 6, 1945. They lived in Anaconda while Clancy attended the Montana School of Mines. Their daughter Marilyn was born in Butte. Clancy re-enlisted in the Army Air Corps and they were stationed at Chanute Field, Illinois and Elmendorf Air Base, Alaska where their son Dale was born. Clancy was killed on April 2, 1951. Following Clancy's death, Virginia set out to find a new home to raise her two children and settled on Boulder in 1952. In 1956, she packed up the car and drove to Guadalajara, Mexico where she stayed until 1958. She returned to Boulder and married William Paddock on November 5, 1961. They had a daughter, Jenny. They moved to Santa Fe, NM in 1969. After William's death in 1974, Virginia settled again in Boulder. Although she never finished college, Virginia was an avid learner. She took full advantage of the University of Colorado Senior Auditor program, attending classes and engaging with the younger students. Virginia credits growing up in a diverse mining and smelting community with her drive to see more of the world. Her dislike of airplanes, led her to take several voyages on the cargo ships of Egon-Oldendorff. During her voyages she got to know crew members from around the world and see ports not on the usual tourist itinerary. Virginia also spent several years as a "Granny Nanny" living with families in Germany, Italy and Greece, teaching the children English and bringing home fond memories and new recipes that she would incorporate into meals prepared in her tiny kitchen back in Boulder. When she was not off seeing the world, she could be found enjoying the mountains with her Tuesday hiking group, attending concerts and entertaining her granddaughters. Virginia is survived by her daughters, Marilyn (Ed) McWilliams, Jenny Paddock (Dixon Hutchinson), her granddaughters, Kate (Ken) MacDonald, Sarah (Steve) Franklin and Anne McWilliams (Kevin Manning). She is also survived by her great grandchildren Teddy, Stella, Bobby and Wiley. She is fondly remembered by the compassionate care-givers at Frasier Meadows and Tru Community Hospice, the Sunday Movie Night group and many in Metsovo, Greece. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Mental Health Partners, St. John's Episcopal Church or a charity of the donor's choice. A funeral service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, 2016 in the Chapel at St. John's Episcopal Church, 1419 Pine St. Boulder.