Virginia Hobaugh

Virginia Mae Smith Hobaugh (Ninny), 88, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away quietly on March 25, 2022 at Freighter View Assisted Living.  She was born in Norman, Oklahoma on October 16, 1933.  She attended the University of Oklahoma where she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, earned an associate degree in Secretarial Science, and met a dashing young fry cook at the Student Union.  She married that young man, Jimmie Harris Hobaugh, who joined the Coast Guard and with her support rose from the rank of Seaman Apprentice to Captain.  Together they made a home in many coastal stations across the US from New Jersey to Maine, and back to New Jersey, Virginia, Texas, Alaska, Washington, Minnesota, Ohio, and finally settling in Sault Ste. Marie.  

While Virginia was primarily a homemaker, she also worked as a legal secretary in Alaska and Ohio and as an assistant manager at House of Fabrics and then as a salesclerk at JoAnn Fabrics in Sault Ste. Marie.  She was friendly and helpful, and many of her customers became her friends.  Her love for sewing and crafting filled her space to the brim with supplies. This kept her busy making clothes, crafting monogrammed pillows and gifts, and doing alterations for family and friends. In addition to her love of sewing was her love of music.  

Virginia was a long-time member of the Eastern Star, Queen of the North chapter, where she played the piano for meetings.  She was also a member of the Central United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed being a greeter as well as playing in the bell choir.  Rummikub was undoubtedly her favorite game to play and take to social gatherings. Teaching the game to her grandchildren at a young age would later yield skillful opponents, resulting in fun and challenging matches.

Her compassion for animals cannot go unnoted. The love she had for her furry companions was unmatched, and she shared the same love for the neighborhood dogs that came to visit her. Her furry visitors always left with bellies full of treats and tails wagging from all the attention. 

With her cheerfulness and humor lighting up any room, Virginia made countless friends in the community around her. Her laugh was contagious and unmistakable. She was a light of encouragement for so many in this world. To know Virginia was to know the good in humanity. Her strong and good-hearted nature continues to inspire others.  Virginia leaves a legacy of unfailing kindness that touched everyone she met.  She was a sweet, classy, and gracious lady, and she will be deeply missed.

Virginia was preceded in passing by her loving husband Jimmie Harris Hobaugh, her parents Robert Owen Smith and Verna Mae Willard, and her sister Marian Thompson.

She is survived by her brother, Robert Owen Smith, III of Norman, Oklahoma and her adoring children, Teresa (Martin) Wolski of Sault Ste. Marie, Charlotte Gentry (Kevin Brosemer) of Lebanon, Tennessee, Kathleen (Michael) Capron of Mt. Airy, Maryland, and Charles Owen Hobaugh of League City, Texas.  She is also survived by 15 grandchildren who lovingly called her “Ninny.”  They are Mandy (Luke Thomas) Browning, Beth (Michael) Mugavero, Anna (Vincent) Vlaminck, Emily Browning, Tess Browning, Nathan Gentry, Benjamin Gentry, Jacob Gentry (Hannah Waters), Philip Gentry, Alison Capron, Ryan Capron, C. Nicholas (Catherine) Hobaugh, Stephanie (Matthew) Hill, Dustin Hobaugh, Rachel (Robert) McCormack; and nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the C.S. Mulder Funeral Home on April 30, 2022 from 1:00 to 3:00PM, with services beginning at 2:00 PM. A reception will follow at Central Methodist Church.