Virginia Adams
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A memorial Mass for Virginia “Gini” Adams, 92, Lawrence will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 24, 2013 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. An open house will follow at 2125 Terrace Rd in Lawrence. She died on her birthday, May 27, 2013, at Neuvant House in Lawrence.
Virginia was born May 27, 1921 in Louisville, KY, the daughter of J. Raymond and Julia (Werst) Barrett. After graduating from Nazareth College, she worked for the Louisville Courier Journal as a human interest columnist tracking life at home during World War II. In 1945, she volunteered for the American Red Cross and was sent to the island of Mindanao in the Philippines, where she met her future husband, Ralph, a first lieutenant and pilot with the U.S. Army Air Corp.
Following the war, she returned home to Louisville and attended law school and was admitted to the bar in the state of Kentucky. On January 23, 1953, she married Ralph Norman Adams, from Atlantic City, New Jersey, to whom she was married for 50 years. Ralph was a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at the University of Kansas. The Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry at KU is named for him. He preceded her in death on November 28, 2002.
Virginia was an active volunteer in Lawrence with nonprofit social service agencies including Head Start and Catholic Social Services. During the 70’s she worked for several years at KU Continuing Education as a proof reader. She was a co-author of the original edition of On the Hill –A Photographic History of the University of Kansas. As a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church for many years, she enjoyed helping organize tours of historic and cultural sites in Kansas and Missouri for the parish Forever Young Group.
Survivors include three daughters: Kristin Adams, Lisa (Stuart) Boley, both of Lawrence, Moira Adams, Ashburnham, MA; four grandchildren, Eva Leeds Lab, Ashburnham, MA, Caitlin E. Boley, Minneapolis, MN, Lucas K. Boley and Colleen M. Boley, both of Lawrence; and many nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her parents; four sisters; one brother; and one daughter, Kathryn Adams.
The family suggests memorials in her name to the Capuchin Franciscans, the Maryknoll Sisters, or to the Ralph N. Adams Endowed Professorship through the KU Endowment Association which may be sent in care of the mortuary.
My condolences to all the family. May she rest in peace.
I attended St. Brigid’s school in Louisville. Virginia was in my brother’s class and I was in Sister Jacinta’s (Joan) class. The 3 of us were in the same Girl Scout troop for many years.
Virginia was a wonderful person and it was nice to hear about her interesting life.
Will remember her and all of you in my prayers.
I offer my deepest sympathy to the Adams family on the passing of your dear mother. So many treasured memories I have of our young years all together on Terrace Road! The Adams’ solidly anchored the street and our lives were intertwined as neighbors and cherished friends. Forever remembered,
Anne Marie Kitos
My deepest love and condolences to all of you. I have very fond memories of hanging out with Moira and your Mom and talking to her about boys in high school. I especially remember her saying “well that was sort of catty, wasn’t it?” about some particular machination… She was so.. dignified and calm, at least it seemed that way to me. I was a shy teenager, but I always felt comfortable with her. My love and condolences to all of you. may you find comfort and strength in many wonderful memories.