Virginia Marie Bissinger of Hermiston, longtime Stanfield resident, died on Dec. 15, 2018 in Hermiston at the age of 90.
She was born on Feb. 29, 1928 in Echo to Manuel C. and Florence Picanso.
Virginia graduated from Hermiston High School in 1946 and on Oct. 11, 1946 married Berkley O. Bissinger in Hermiston. They were married for 53 years before his death in 1999.
Virginia was involved in a great many church and civic organizations. She helped lead 4-H clubs and organized the Stanfield Hunters breakfast to gift monies back to many civic groups in the city of Stanfield. She also served on the Stanfield Library board and helped raise funds to build the current Stanfield Library. She was a member of the Catholic Church in Echo and Hermiston and was a longtime member of the Catholic Daughters and a volunteer for the Catholic Soup Kitchen. Her cooking skills were amazing, and her recipe of biscuits and gravy, along with cinnamon rolls, drew many a guest, neighbor and family member for a gourmet breakfast. Virginia worked as a restaurant cook, a munitions clerk at the Umatilla Army Depot, and for Lamb Weston before her retirement.
Survivors include daughter Paula Egea of Las Vegas, Nev.; son Kelly Bissinger; daughter-in-law Dawn Bissinger; grandson Bryce Bissinger and wife Ariana; grandson Lee Bissinger; granddaughter Pamela Sams; and great grandson Ryan Sams.
Virginia was preceded in death by her husband; parents; a sister, Alida; stepsisters, Gwendora and Frances; and an infant brother.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019 at 10:30 a.m., with Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, 565 W. Hermiston Ave.
Burial will be at Pleasant View Cemetery at 2 p.m. in Stanfield.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Virginia’s memory to the Catholic Daughters or the Stanfield Public Library, in care of Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, P.O. Box 289, Hermiston, Ore., 97838.
Please go online to leave condolences for Virginia’s family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
