Virginia Peoples

Virginia Rose (Van Arman) Peoples, age 94, of Miami, FL, passed away December 19, 2012. She was born in Superior, Wisconsin to Albert and Olive (LaGesse) Van Arman.

She received her nursing degree in 1940 from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing where her work varied from private duty nurse, to charge of ER and also worked the surgical floor. Virginia flew for Northwest Airlines as a flight attendant where she met her soon to be husband, Paul Peoples II. She also worked for The Great Northern Railroad as an industrial nurse until her family moved in 1957 to Miami, FL.



While living in Miami, Virginia worked at Veteran’s Hospital in Coral Gables, and as a Public Health nurse for Dade County Public Health.



In 1968 she traveled to Germany where she served as a clinical nurse for the U.S. Army Hospital, instructed pre-natal classes on the air base and worked as an assistant librarian at the Army’s library. Returning to Miami in 1973, Virginia was hired as the Industrial Nurse for the Miami Federal Reserve Bank where she worked until full retirement in 1985.



Stillwright Point in Key Largo, FL became Virginia’s new home. There she was an active member in St. Justin the Martyr Catholic Church volunteering her time to the Woman’s Club, tutoring foreign visiting priests in English, and assisting the elderly to daily mass. Her personal project became being a fund raiser for the Florida Keys Children Center by selling Skin So Soft to businesses in the Upper Keys.



In 2002 Virginia moved back to Miami to live at The Palace where she enjoyed excellent care and kept her mind sharp with crossword puzzles. Her biggest regret was that she could no longer help others.



Virginia leaves behind to cherish her memory her five children, Paul, Mark, Suzy, Pat McLatchey and Julie Gossett, along with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren throughout the United States.



A Mass celebrating her life will be held on Friday, February 1, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Justin the Martyr Catholic Church, Key Largo, FL.



The family request that instead of flowers any donations to the Florida Keys Children Center (FKCS.org) would be greatly appreciated.

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