Virginia (Smith) Sill

Virginia Smith Sill, age 103, a resident of Mobile, AL, passed away March 9, 2023. Born on August 24, 1919, the oldest of three girls, she was raised by a single mother and developed a deep sense of gratitude to her mother and a feeling of responsibility for her family. She was a person who was strong, infuriating, and loving. Virginia moved around the country and to France with her husband, David, who was in the Air Force, managing everything during his frequent absences. They were married for 54 years. Her mother, Mary D. Smith, moved in with them, and Virginia cared for her mother in the last years of her life. She also took care of David through his decline and the end of his life. In a family of strong-willed women there was plenty of conflict, but she loved her sisters. She enjoyed spending parts of her summers with the family of her sister Zatha, and taking trips with her sister Lois, and their daughters. She traded stories and recipes with her sister-in-law Jeanette, and enjoyed visits with Jeanette’s daughters. She was a big part of the lives of her grandchildren, who spent many hours at her house; cooking them special meals, picking them up from activities, and giving Kris haircuts (not always with prior approval from her mom). She was an excellent seamstress, able to recreate clothing that she would see at a store. She was a great lover of dogs and enjoyed collecting Hummels and spoons from all over the world. She was frugal but wanted a more elegant life than she got. Independent into her 90s, loss of vision and difficulty hearing were big sources of frustration to her, but her mind remained sharp. On her 100th birthday, several of her sisters’ children came to visit her; as they reminisced with her, she frequently corrected them on details of events. She had an incredible ability to remember dates. She was cared for with love to the end of her long life by her daughter, Kathy. She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Kichler (David); grandchildren, Kris Holder (Mark) and Patrick Kichler (Beth); great-grandchildren, Rick Kichler (Kirstie), Ryan Kichler, Robert Kichler (Cassidi), Rebecca Sanders (Ian), Julia Holder, Susan Holder, and Meghan Isbell; great-great-grandchildren, Maria, R.J., Kolby, Collins, and Theo Kichler; other relatives, and many friends. A celebration of life for her will be held on Sunday, March 12, 2023 from 1-3 PM at 1255 Winwood Dr, Mobile, AL 36605.

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Virginia (Smith) Sill

August 24, 1919 - March 9, 2023