Virginia Cook Sanders passed away Thursday morning, April 20, 2017. Daughter of beloved parents, Dr. Melvin A. Cook and Wanda G. Cook, Virginia was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 4, 1943. Shortly thereafter her family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where she grew through adolescence into the beautiful, vivacious woman we knew and loved.
As a young girl Virginia enjoyed spending her summers with cousins in Tremonton, Utah. She also adored hearing her grandmother, Maude Osmond Cook, read her award winning poetry. Even more than these, Virginia found her life's true passion at Roosevelt Junior High, where she first met a handsome tenor named Gill Sanders.
While at East High School, Virginia's friends called her "Sam" after the famous singer, Sam Cook. Gill just called her "Ginny." Virginia subsequently earned a Bachelor of Science in Education at the University of Utah where she was affiliated with the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. Outgoing, fun and quick with a compliment, Virginia served as the sorority's social chairman as well as the University's Sophomore Class Secretary.
Virginia attended both East and the University of Utah with Gill. During Gill's LDS Mission, Virginia found the time to date while faithfully writing to him. On December 16, 1966, Virginia and Gill were sealed for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. Gill was the love of her life. We know that they are enjoying a sweet reunion.
After graduating from the University, Virginia taught fourth grade at Webster Elementary in Salt Lake City, Utah and later at Meadowbrook Elementary in Bountiful, Utah. Teaching full classes of energetic youngsters, Virginia discovered a love for children and a corresponding distaste for Halloween. Once Virginia began to have children of her own, she left academia as an instructor but she never surrendered her commitment to education. Virginia enthusiastically served as the PTA President for East High School, as well as the Community Council Chair of both East High and Clayton Junior High.
Virginia delighted in matchmaking and claimed an unusually high marriage rate from her many line-ups. Virginia loved people. Social in every circumstance, Virginia had a flair for giving parties with music and buffets, always finding a seat for one more. Her mother, Wanda, reflected that Virginia's gift for making friends was rooted in her natural inclination to "go beyond and appreciate whatever is noble and good in another person."
Virginia possesses an enduring testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Virginia served as the Relief Society President of the Garden Park Second Ward. In 2006-2007, Virginia accepted the call to serve a proselyting mission with Gill in Boston, MA. This was one of the happiest times of her life.
Virginia often expressed that the crowning achievement of her life was being the mother of six children. Her grandchildren lovingly refer to her as "Gigi." We always will love and miss her.
Virginia is survived by her six children, Keri Lynne Sanders, Lisa Anne Rose (Dade), Matthew Sharp Sanders, MeriKaye Moore (Brian), Geneva Ivory Soulier (Matthew), Kimberly Maurine Ujifusa (JR), siblings Barbara Petersen, Garfield Cook, Merrill Cook, Krehl Cook, and twenty grandchildren. Her dear parents and spouse, Dr. Gill O. Sanders, preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be held in the Princeton Ward, 1005 S. 2000 E. at 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 29, 2017. There will be a viewing at the Princeton Ward from 10:00-11:45 A.M. on Saturday, prior to the services. Interment will be at the Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery.
