Obituary of Virginia Paz

Virginia Mae Paz August 20, 1920 - March 14, 2010 Virginia Mae Banker was born on August 20, 1920 in Sherwood, Michigan. Virginia was one of two children born from the union of the late Roy Banker and the late Zelma (Smith) Banker. She grew up in the Jackson Area and graduated in 1937 from Jackson High School. Virginia attended Nursing Training at Foote Hospital in Jackson. Once obtaining her certificate Virginia enlisted in the United States Army and completed Basic Training at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. She was assigned to the 78th Field Hospital during World War II in Antwerp, Belgium, and obtained the rank of First Lieutenant before her honorable discharge. She married James Paz in Jackson, Michigan on August 28, 1947. The family attended the First United Methodist Church in Monroe for many years. Virginia took employment with Monroe Hospital for several years and then later worked for Ford Motor Company as an Industrial Nurse prior to her retirement. James and Virginia shared more than sixty years of marriage before his passing on November 13, 2007. Virginia Mae Paz age 89 of Monroe passed away at 1:40am, Sunday, March 14, 2010 at Brookdale Senior Living, Claire Bridge Monroe Alzheimer's and Dementia Care. She had been under the care of Heartland Hospice and Homecare. In addition to her parents and her husband, Virginia's passing was preceded by a grandson: James Paz in 2002. She leaves to cherish her memory a son: Darwin (Kim) Paz of Monroe; a brother: Darwin (Evelyn) Banker of Ann Arbor; and six nieces: Sharon (Don) Terry, Janet (Lawrence) Gambino, and Patricia Stemm all of Ann Arbor, Francine Harrison of Waterbury, Connecticut, Cathy (Dana) Leighton of Stockton Springs, Maine, and Antonia Malio of Sonoma, California. Friends may gather from 1:00pm until 5:00pm and from 6:00pm until 8:00pm, Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe Street (734) 384-5185 where a Celebration of Her Life will take place at 11:00am, Wednesday, March 17, 2010. The Rev. James Jacobs, Director of Chaplaincy Services for Mercy Memorial Hospital will officiate. Procession will follow to Roselawn Memorial Park in LaSalle for her final rest. Graveside services will be under the auspices of Monroe Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1138. In lieu of flowers, Virginia's memory may be honored by making memorials to Alzheimer Disease Research at www.ahaf.org. Online words of inspiration and comfort can be made by visiting www.merklefuneralservice.com and then selecting the Life Stories page.