Virginia Meneely Heath, 69, of Cape Coral, Fla., formerly of Columbia, died Oct. 27, 2016 after a long and courageous battle with multiple myeloma.
She was born on Christmas day, 1946 to Arthur William Meneely and Grace Elouise Cook Meneely in Philadelphia, Pa.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Alderson Broaddus College in Philippi, W. Va.
Upon graduating from college, she fulfilled her lifelong dream and became a registered nurse. Her compassion and care directly affected the lives of many of her patients. She retired in 2007 after more than 35 years in a nursing career she found so rewarding.
In retirement as arthritis robbed her of the ability to be very active, she spent most of her time knitting and crocheting through a prayer shawl ministry for the sick and grieving in her church along with chemo caps for patients undergoing cancer treatment at the Myeloma Institute for Research and Treatment in Little Rock, Ark.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Ronald E. Heath of Cape Coral, Fla.; two children, Kimberly (Tim) Wisecup of Hilliard, Ohio and Jamie Heath and his special friend, Heidi Chiles, of Des Moines, Iowa; two granddaughters, Katie Wisecup and Alyssa Wisecup; and one brother, A. David Meneely (Christy) of Leola, Pa.
She was preceded in death by a brother, William Meneely of Atlanta, Ga.
She was a devout Christian woman. Before moving to Cape Coral for health reasons, she was an active member of Columbia United Methodist Church. She was one of the founders of the prayer shawl ministry at the church. During her time there she knitted and crocheted more than 40 prayer shawls, afghans and lap robes for those needing the warmth of a cover and prayers for God’s love, healing and mercy.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. at the Columbia United Methodist Church.
