Virginia E. Winter died peacefully on June 10, 2009, at Covenant Shores, Mercer Island. She was born on Dec. 21, 1924, in Ft. Wayne, Ind., but spent most of her childhood through early adulthood in St. Louis. She attended Washington University, St. Louis, and graduated with a degree in architecture in 1949. On May 31, 1952, she married Ralph Winter of Concordia, Mo. In 1957, they moved to Denver, Colo., and in 1965 to the Seattle area. She was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), which led her to a lifetime interest in genealogy.

Mrs. Winter enjoyed sewing and cooking, and passed these interests on to her daughters. She was active in the Presbyterian, Methodist and Covenant churches of Mercer Island.

Mrs. Winter was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Eloise Jacobson, and by her brother, Richard Jacobson. She is survived by her husband, Ralph; four children, Cathy Flanagan, of Bellingham; David Winter, of Bothell; Diane Winter, of Seattle; and Carol Roberson, of Woodinville; eight grandchildren, John, Rebecca and Stephen Flanagan, Andrew and Emily Winter, and Conor, Kayla and Kyle Roberson; two nephews and two nieces.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, at Covenant Shores on Mercer Island. Remembrances are suggested to the Covenant Shores Benevolent Fund or to DAR.