Virginia May Botkin, 82, of Visalia passed away Sunday, March 14, 2010. She was born in Visalia on June 18, 1927 to Dorval Wallace and Versa May Beamish. Because her parents were both deaf-mute, she grew up communicating with American Sign Language. Virginia and her sister younger Rosalie (Shiffert) loved to sing, and often performed together in the Exeter Lions Club Follies. She graduated from Visalia Union High School and married the love of her life, William “Bill” Franklin Botkin, a union that lasted 53 years until Bill’s death in 2002. Bill and Virginia reared their three children in Exeter, and she was a homemaker who particularly loved family gatherings and time in Mineral King. She enjoyed the music of Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and more recently Michael Buble’. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, husband and sister, and is survived by son William C. “Billy” Botkin of Visalia, son Michael (Jana) Botkin of Three Rivers, and daughter Laurie Metz of South Lake Tahoe. In addition, she is survived by a few aunts and uncles, many nieces and one nephew. At her request there will be no services. Remembrances may be made to the Mineral King Preservation Society, P.O. Box 286, Exeter CA 93221 or other charity of choice.
2 Comments
I’m so very sorry, Jana. Tell Michael I lost my father on June 14th of this past year. It is a very difficult thing, losing a parent. My mom, all their grandchildren, and my siblings and I, continue to “talk” to Dad almost daily. There are still some things we need to say to him. I am crying, as I write this. Sometimes, we think we can even “hear” Dad’s voice, as he responds. Sometimes, he even makes us laugh! It is a wonderful thing to realize that our loved ones never really disappear, but are always there for us, when we need them.
Jana, I’m so sorry to hear about Michael’s mom. There is nothing in the world akin to losing your mother. I didn’t understand how the sun could still shine and birds could still sing when my mother died. Please convey my deepest sympathies to Michael. Love, Nikki
Comments are closed for this article!