June 28, 1929 - July 8, 2008

Virginia Louise Ridders Blue, 79, of Seattle, Wash., formerly of Albany, died Tuesday at her home after a five-year battle with stage four breast cancer; showing us all unbelievable courage and grace during her treatment and illness.

The world has lost a beautiful voice and we have lost our beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and sister as she entered her 80th year.

Virginia was born to Raymond and Elizabeth Ridders in Albany. Virginia grew up in Oregon's Willamette Valley and southwest Washington. She had great memories of the Spring Hill area of Albany, where her grandparents Henry and Mary Ridders had a farm. She especially remembered the year she attended the one-room school, Fir Grove, and all the good times with sister Jeannine and cousins Bob, John and Wally Newton. She also enjoyed her younger cousins Pat, Dottie, Mary and Margy Harmon.

Virginia graduated with honors from Providence Academy in Vancouver, Wash. She moved to Seattle in 1947 to attend Seattle University and lived at Providence Hospital's nurses quarters while studying social work. She went to Hanford in the Tri-Cities area in 1949 to earn money for college and there met a young draftsman from Boston, William "Bill" Blue. Bill and Virginia were married July 12, 1952, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Seattle. While Bill worked and finished his engineering degree at the University of Washington, Virginia worked in the UW chemical engineering department.

After the birth of her five children, Virginia devoted much time to her children through many activities at St. Catherine's School and Girl Scout leadership. Virginia worked at Olympic Steam Ship Co. and for the Navy, as a civilian, after her children were older. In retirement she enjoyed her senior writing and painting classes at the Greenwood Senior Center and her family treasures her writings, poetry and watercolors. Virginia also attended several writers' conferences in the Puget Sound area and had a love of literature and poetry all her life. She was also a Mariners fan. Deeply spiritual, Virginia belonged to St. Catherine's Parish for over 50 years and was a member of the Altar Society, Busy Hands Division.

Virginia is survived by children Jeannine Blue Lupton and husband Martin, and Maureen Louise Blue, Sharon Kay Blue, Raymond William Blue, Lawrence Michael Blue and wife Takae; grandchildren Robert Minter, Laura Lupton Thompkins and husband Colin, Allison Lupton, Michael, Christina, Elizabeth, Emily and Maia Blue; sister Jeannine McNamara; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by husband William in 1997.

Virginia was truly a lovely person, loved by many. She was especially devoted to her five children who will miss her very much but carry on with all she taught them. The family would like to thank the Providence Hospice of Seattle Team for their wonderful care of Virginia in her last weeks; Dr. David Dong of Northwest Hospital; and Maureen Blue for taking the lead on her Mother's care for the past five years.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 8500 Eighth Ave. N.E., Seattle. A rosary will be said at 10:30 a.m., same location. Memorials may be sent to The 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk in walker Vicky Jacoby's name; The St. Catherine's Altar Society or the Union Gospel Mission. Rest in Peace Virginia, you are loved very much. Wiggen & Sons Mortuary is handling arrangements.