Virginia Ruth Padovan's Obituary
Virginia Ruth Padovan, age 103, of Centerville, Iowa, died on Friday, March 15, 2024 at MercyOne Medical Center in Centerville.
Virginia was born on April 15, 1920 in Numa, Iowa, the daughter of John and Eugenia (Ostino) Padovan. Virginia graduated from Numa High School with the Class of 1937 and attended the University of Iowa, completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1941. She received her Masters degree in Business Education from the University of Iowa in 1949. In 1956, Virginia earned a Master's degree in Counseling at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. While attending the University of Iowa, Virginia was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, a member of the Pi Omega Pi, Delta Pi Epsilon, Vice President of the Women's Recreation Committee, and during her senior year was selected as one of the 50 most outstanding women on campus. She was always a great Hawkeye fan!! At Northwestern University, she was initiated into the Pi Lambda Theta honorary and professional fraternity for women in education.
From 1941-1943, Virginia taught Business and Physical Education at Alden, Iowa. Among her numerous extra-curricular assignments, she coached the girls basketball team-a team that lost only to the state championship team in the substate tournament during the 1942-43 school year.
From 1943-1984, Virginia taught at Burlington High School. She taught typing, shorthand and bookkeeping in the early years. She became a counselor in 1956.
During the 1957-1958 school year, Virginia was a counselor at the American Army Schools based in Nuremberg, Germany. While abroad, she traveled extensively to many European countries. She met again and became close to her dear relatives in northern Italy. After retiring in 1984, she and her sisters continued traveling to all 50 states and six continents. Summer found her doing secretarial work in Chicago, Washington DC and Yellowstone National Park.
Among her duties at Burlington High School, she was named Scholarship Chair, which led to her appointment on the Hy-Vee Scholarship Committee on which she served for thirty-three years. She was also selected as one of three members on the National Modern Woodmen of America Scholarship Committee (Rockford, IL). She served on that committee for twenty-seven years. During her years in Burlington, she was an active member of the Burlington Education Association and the Burlington Concert Association.In May of 2003, Virginia was inducted into the Hall of Fame for teachers at Burlington High School.
After her retirement, she returned to Centerville. She became involved in many community activities and was a member of the Historical Preservation Commission and Corporation, The Drake Public Library Board, Appanoose County Republican Central Committee, Centerville Concert Association, Retired Teachers, Lake Rathbun Bird Club, and Appanoose Community Foundation Committee.
In 2013, Virginia was presented the Morgan Cline Medal Award by the Appanoose County Economic Development Corporation, the Citizen of the Month award by Mayor James Senior, and in 2014 was the recipient of the Indian Hills Community College Outstanding Lay Citizen Award.
Left to cherish Viriginia's memory are her two nieces, Mary Lynn Bernhard, Lisa (Daric)Holdaway; one nephew, Scott (Kim) Keller; one great nephew, Benjamin Holdaway; one great niece, Ella Keller; cousins from Numa and cousins in Italy.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, John and Eugenia Padovan; her sisters, Mary and Edna Padovan and Jean Padavan Keller.
Per Virginia's wishes, her body has been given to the University of Iowa College of Medicine, deeded body program, for scientific research. At her request, there will be no services. Memorials have been established to the Drake Public Library or the Historic Preservation Corporation, and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Padovan Family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
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