Sister Virginia Marie attended a number of elementary schools in Denver and Dallas, before receiving her secondary education at Ursuline Academy in Dallas. She entered the Ursuline community in 1937, making vows in January 1940. She studied for her bachelor of arts degree in New Orleans and at Fontbonne in St. Louis, and for a master's degree in Spanish at Universidad de la Habana, Universidad Catolic de Santo Tomas de Villanueva, and the University of Dallas. The majority of her ministry assignments, for over 30 years, were in Hispanic Countries: Cuba, Mexico and Spain. She continued to use her gift with the Spanish language by working as an immigration caseworker and counselor for Catholic Charities in Dallas for 10 years when she returned to the United States and then served in the offices of her alma mater, Ursuline Academy in Dallas, for another 12 years before her retirement. She asked to join Queen of Peace Healthcare Center in 2009.

A funeral Mass was celebrated May 29 at the Ursuline Convent Chapel in Alton, with Father Jack Lau, OMI, presiding.

Memorials may be made to the Ursuline Queen of Peace Healthcare Center, 845 Danforth St., Alton, IL 62002.

Staten and Fine Funeral Home, Alton, was in charge of arrangements.