After a full and happy life, Virginia Elaine Shilling passed away on September 11, 2009. Ginny was born on July 2, 1922, in Long Beach, California, to Peter and Adelaide Williamson. The youngest of five children, she spent her childhood in Long Beach and Washington, DC. She graduated from Woodrow
Wilson High School in Long Beach and Redlands College in Riverside, California. Ginny was a gifted and nurturing teacher and mother; after several years of teaching elementary school she stopped to raise a family of four sons and a daughter. Later she returned to teaching, received a Master's degree in education, and also sold real estate (following in the footsteps of her father). She was married to Jack Buhler until 1975, and has been married to Wilbur (Bill) Shilling for the past 19 years.

In April, 2009, she was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer --- bronchoalveolar carcinoma ("BAC") --- that occurs in non-smokers. She dealt with her disease with courage and acceptance, and passed away peacefully. During her last 3 days she received visits from over 30 family members. She had a strong faith and, at the end, even expressed impatience to move to the next phase of her existence.

Ginny loved life and lived it to the fullest. She delighted in entertaining small and large groups, learned to paint in mid-life (her works can be found on the walls of family and friends), and was adept at playing many card games (especially bridge). In addition to camping and sailing in her early years, she always enjoyed traveling, and later in life made a number of international trips with her husband, Bill. Her time with her golf group, her book groups, and the ``adult forum'' discussion group at her church, Calvin Presbyterian, were also highlights of her later years. Her natural spirit of giving led her to volunteer as a tutor, and to teach for Global Volunteers. Those blessed by her presence in their lives will be eternally grateful.

She is survived by her husband, Bill Shilling, five children: Joe Buhler, Lee Buhler, Steven Buhler, William Buhler, and Rebecca Buhler, and many other family members: Danalee, Dori, Max, Michelle, Steve, Jr. Charles Robert, Susan, Alex, Amanda, Melissa, Natalie, Patrick, Liam, Jack, Lorraine, David, Marvi, Olivia, Andrus, Eric, Gloria, Bruce, Jamie, Kyna, Calder, Martha, Leah, Adrian, and Amanda.

Ginny requested a party to celebrate her new life. The celebration of Ginny will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2009, 1 p.m. at the Calvin Presbyterian Church (10445 SW Canterbury Lane, Tigard, Oregon).