Virginia Lou (Stoddard) Hornor passed away Friday, Sept. 29, at sunset, the time of day she would often stop to watch the light fade.

She appreciated the beauty of the Earth. A redhead, Virginia/Gins/Ginny Lou/Ma/Mom/Grandie was very bright — strong-minded and quick-witted. And she enjoyed being the life of the party. She shared with her many friends, students and family a keen interest in the arts, particularly literature, painting and film. Firmly independent and a nonconformist, she tolerated chaos so as to embrace creativity.

Throughout her life, Virginia was young at heart. In her later years, she became a follower of Tibetan Buddhism, trusting in what His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has called “the great force of compassion.”

Born the second of fraternal twins on Nov. 19, 1930, Virginia Stoddard grew up in Marblehead, Massachusetts, with her sister, Elizabeth Sue “Bebs,” and older brother, Norm. Virginia adored her stylish mother, Pat, and handsome father, Stoddie, who was the New England manager for M&P Theaters, connected with Paramount. Virginia fondly remembered the family summers in Maine – although she did not enjoy the etiquette lessons that also were part of the privileged atmosphere in which she was raised.

For college, she went to Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. where she met Robert Goedecke, her first husband. During the course of their marriage, they had three children, Richard, Anne and Allison (neé Martha) and lived in Chicago, Ill.; Pella, Iowa; Dallas, Texas; and Manhattan, Kan.

After their divorce, Virginia pursued an education degree at Kansas State University, where she met David Hornor, who became her second husband. The family moved first to Parsons, Kan., and then, in 1968, packed up a van and first took a trip East to see their families and then drove cross-country to Whidbey Island, which would become her home for the rest of her life. She and Dave divorced in 1974.

Virginia taught for 32 years on the Island, starting with teaching English to scores of Langley High School students and, later, moving to the alternative school to take on the challenge of motivating those at risk of not graduating. Her free spirit reigned in classrooms decorated with posters of Bob Dylan and her other heroes. She encouraged all her students to express their unique selves, and she grew close to many of them. A few of her students, such as Theresa Naujack, became her dear friends. She was a fixture at Mike’s Place in Langley, a regular at the Clyde Theater, and a walker who liked to greet others leading or led by dogs.

Virginia was generous and offered many her gift of friendship. She made new friends this year even while her health declined quickly, so that she had to move from Whidbey to an assisted living place in Olympia and finally a group home there. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Richard Goedecke (Christine Dutton), Anne (Lyle) Hancock and Allison (Jeff) Jensen, as well as five grandchildren. We miss her but we strive to carry on her legacy of compassion for all — including our canine companions – and her love of nature’s beauty. Peace, Virginia.

The memorial service for Virginia Hornor is planned for 1 p.m., Nov. 4, at the Clinton Progressive Club. She asked that any memorials in her honor be given to the donor’s choice of charity.