Virginia Stipp Dieckhoff, age 95, of Bloomington, IL, formerly of Quincy, passed away peacefully at 2:47 a.m. on February 13, 2014 at Martin Healthcare in Bloomington. Virginia “Ginny” was born on April 18, 1918 in Quincy, the second child of Arthur & Clara (Mertens) Forrest. She married George “Jazz” Stipp on November 7, 1939 at St. Peter’s Rectory, Quincy. He passed away April 16, 1969. She married John “Jack” Dieckhoff at St. Peter’s Church in Quincy on October 8, 1976. He passed away on August 25, 2009.
Virginia attended St. Peter’s grade school in Quincy, IL and graduated from Notre Dame Girls Academy in 1936 in Quincy. Virginia and her husband George Stipp moved to Paris, IL in 1952 and opened Stipp’s Family Shoe Store. Virginia was a vital part of the business in many aspects and after her husband’s death in 1969 she continued to operate it for several years. After her move back to Quincy she worked part-time for Bergner’s Department Store for many years. Virginia began playing contract bridge in high school and continued on to duplicate bridge playing in three bridge groups for many years, finally stopping play at age 86. Through the years Virginia was active in the Altar Society at St. Mary’s Church in Paris, IL and at St. Peter’s Church in Quincy. She volunteered at Blessing Hospital, Quincy and was a member of the woman’s board. She was also a member of the Quincy City Club. Virginia loved her role as a homemaker and was an excellent seamstress all of her life. She especially enjoyed telling stories about her family and Quincy, IL.
Virginia was a loving and caring person to all her family and friends. She was very witty and humorous and left everyone with a smile. This continued until her final years. The light of her life was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her family would especially like to thank the staff at Martin Healthcare for the loving care they gave to Virginia and the many comments of their delight of her smile and sense of humor. It is a wonderful feeling to know she had the best of care!
Survivors include: TWO DAUGHTERS, Ann Dennison and her husband Bob of Bloomington, IL and Mary Tweedy and her husband Joe of Miami, FL; EIGHT GRANDCHILDREN, Michelle (Eric) Carlborg of San Diego, CA, Stephanie (Michael) Hagerty of Bloomington, IL, Jennifer (Thomas) Laird of Northfield, IL, Michael Tweedy and Elizabeth Tweedy of Miami, FL, John (Meybell) Stipp of Sunrise, FL, Carrie Stipp Gore of Paducah, KY and Sarah Small of Minneapolis, MN; 14 GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN; 4 STEP-CHILDREN, Dr. Jay Dieckhoff and his wife Karen of Quincy, Judy Albus and her husband Jim of Moro, IL, Marijane Castor and her husband Dave of Oakley, IL and Terry Dieckhoff and his wife Pat of Crystal, Lake, IL; 10 STEP-GRANDCHILDREN and 7 STEP GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews who deeply loved their “Aunt Ginny” and especially enjoyed their visits at her home and theirs through the years.In addition to her husbands and parents, she was preceded in death by her son George Forrest Stipp, a daughter Jonques Small Archibald, brothers Dr. Russell Forrest & Donald Forrest and sisters Rosemary Forrest, Betty Van Blair and Mary Wojdan.
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in the Church of St. Peter in Quincy. Interment will be in Woodland Cemetery. Visitation will be held Saturday morning from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer Association or the Heart Association. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. www.dukerandhaugh.com