Virginia Szuchy Carstens, 95, a resident of Alexian Village on Signal Mountain, Tennessee, died on Saturday, November 14, 2015.
She was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on Dec. 27, 1919, the youngest child of Jacob and Anna Szuchy. A first-generation American, Virginia proudly served as a member of the Women’s Army Auxillary Corps during World War II, stationed at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. During her time at the Pentagon, one of her duties was working on the Articles of Surrender for Japan. Following the war, she worked at Tulane University in New Orleans. She met and married Earl Martin Carstens and they eventually returned to the Washington, DC, area to raise their family, after years spent in Germany and Italy.
Virginia loved art and music. She was an avid traveler and reader. She enjoyed needlework and crafts. Prior to moving to Tennessee, she was a dedicated member of the Homemakers Club of Northern Virginia, and was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church of Woodbridge, Va. She volunteered at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC, and at Potomac Hospital in Woodbridge.
Virginia is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Earl and Nancy Carstens, of Lookout Mountain, Ga.; two daughters, Lisa Carstens of Chattanooga, Tennessee and Susan Carstens of Pasco, Wa., along with Gary Kiger, also of Pasco; as well as two granddaughters, Anna Carstens and Mimi Carstens, both of Lookout Mountain, Ga.
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, in the chapel at Alexian Village conducted by the Reverend Joe Novenson. Interment will be at Quantico National Cemetery. A reception will be held after the service at Alexian.
The family expresses their sincere appreciation to Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church and the Reverend Joe Novenson, Virginia’s friends and the professionals at Alexian Village Care Center and Hospice of Chattanooga.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to: The Library at Alexian Village,100 James Boulevard, Signal Mountain, Tn., 37377 or Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Dr, Chattanooga, Tn. 37416, 423 892-4289.
Arrangements are by Wann Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 4000 Tennessee Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 37409, 423 821-7551.
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