Virginia B. Jameson 28 June 1920 – 14 May 2009

Ceremony Near Golden Gate Bridge 10 June 2009

On May 14th, 2009, a bit less than 5 years after the loss of her husband Michael, Virginia Jameson peacefully took her leave of her sons and caretakers in her house in Palo Alto, where she had lived for nearly 33 years. She would have turned 89 on June 28th, 2009.

On Thursday, July 9th, an informal memorial gathering was held at the house. The next day, in accordance with the wishes of Virginia and Michael, their ashes were scattered near the Golden Gate Bridge.

This page includes descriptions of these two events, preceded by some brief tributes to Virginia from friends and colleagues.

There is also a separate page with a photographic look back on Virginia’s life, as well as the page from 2004 about Michael’s memorial service.

Contents of This Page: Tributes From Friends and Colleagues Memorial Gathering Brochure for Memorial Gathering Ceremony Near Golden Gate Bridge (Separate page:) The Nine Decades of Virginia’s Life (From 2004, separate page:) Memorial Service for Michael H. Jameson

The following tributes to Virginia have been taken from some of the messages of condolence that were kindly sent by friends and colleagues.

Thomas J. Figueira

My wife, Sarah George, and I have most fond memories of her many kindnesses toward us as young scholars at the University of Pennsylvania. We spent many happy hours with your parents in the house in which you were raised in Germantown.

Peter Garnsey

I had good times with Mike and Virginia; they were immensely hospitable, and I enjoyed their company greatly.

Jacob and Signe Isager

We loved Virginia very much. She and Michael will remain in our hearts forever.

Haruo Konishi

I met her for the first time in Philadelphia in 1959. My immediate impression of her was an excellent scholar who was determinedly devoted to her husband and four lively sons. My impression had not changed over fifty years. Like your father’s, her existence was closely intertwined with my later academic life.

Paul Harvey

Many of us were blessed to have known and worked with your father and your mother.

Dimitris Kyrtatas

My condolences on the loss of wonderful person.

Donald Lateiner (and Marianne Gabel)

She was a wonderful person and friend. She and your Dad attended our wedding on 2 July 1976 and we enjoyed their company and still use their wedding gift: an essoreuse!

Paul Messaris

My condolences on the loss of your mother, whom I remember with great admiration.

Sue Treggiari

In keeping with Virginia’s unassuming, private approach to life, on Tuesday, June 9th her memory was celebrated in a 3-hour gathering in the outdoor area of her house in Palo Alto, where she had moved with Michael in the summer of 1976.

The gathering was hosted by the four Jameson sons and wives Ikuko and Karin; and by the Mahe family, who had taken care of Virginia full-time since Michael’s death in 2004.

The two oldest of the four Mahe children, Asena and Meesi, read moving letters to Virginia, whom they had known as their grandmother.

At the memorial gathering, a small brochure with photos and other reminders of Virginia’s life was presented by her son Tony.

Outside pages	Inside pages

(To see a larger version of each image, click on it.)

The first page of Virginia’s article Virtus Re-Formed ..., which she published at the age of 64, is reproduced because it reflects several of Virginia’s tastes and talents: her love of literature and the Latin language; her subtle, creative mind and academic ability; and her skillful use of the English language as a writer.

The full article can be downloaded here as a PDF file:

Ceremony Near Golden Gate Bridge

Both Virginia and Michael had directed that their ashes should be scattered at sea. On Wednesday, June 10th, this ceremony was held on a rented catamaran by the four Jameson sons Nick, Tony, John, and David; Tony’s wife Karin; John’s wife Ikuko and their daughers Maya and Saya; and Sia and Vainga Mahe and their children Asena, Meesi, Michael, and Vainga Jr.

The boat left from Pier 39 in San Francisco, sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge, and stopped for 20 minutes off the coast of Marin County while the ashes of Virginia, Michael, and their last dog Scotty were scattered by all participants.