GREENLAW, VERA VIRGINIA - Vera Virginia Greenlaw of North Head, Grand Manan Island passed away Thursday, May 22, 2014 at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Born March 31, 1928, in Hollywood, California, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (Ruf) Senn. Virginia was raised in a hard working immigrant family whose father arrived from Switzerland, and, mother from Germany, in the 1920s to the west coast. The family operated a delicatessen store in Venice in the 1930s during what must have been the most exciting times in Hollywood for a young girl. After a brief period in San Francisco during the war years, her family returned to Los Angeles. Influenced probably by her father’s love for halibut and tuna fishing, she became a Jill of all trades which eventually led to her being captain of an albacore trawler off Catalina Island. It was that event which presented the opportunity to meet her future husband, Sam, whom she married in 1956. She was a nurse at the L.A. General Hospital before marrying Samuel Greenlaw Sr. After the birth of her fourth child she convinced her husband to sell his boat yard and return to his birth place, Grand Manan Island. Upon the death of her husband less than 18 years later, she recertified her Nursing license and worked for over 12 years at both the General and then the Regional Hospitals in Saint John. Virginia was an avid gardener and a talented painter who held a booth at the Island Farmer's Market where she also volunteered for many years. She was known for her beautiful Island scenes she painted upon scallop shells and for her delicious cinnamon buns. Virginia was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary, Grand Manan Legion, and the Church of The Ascension. She was the first distance home hemodialysis patient in New Brunswick, and was pampered by Trish's girls from Dialysis Teaching for over 11 years. During her retirement Virginia enjoyed her beautiful garden, the company, long talks and great visits with her good friends Ann Chudleigh, Earlyne Hall, Judy Delaney, and Doris Holman. Virginia is survived by her four children, a daughter Susan Greenlaw, and three sons, Sam(Sharon Zwicker) Greenlaw, Nathan (Darlene Parker) Greenlaw Joseph (Fredonna Dean) Greenlaw all of North Head. Virginia will also be missed by her 13 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, whom she spoiled with her knowledge, time, patience and cookies. She was predeceased by her husband Samuel M. Greenlaw, one stepson Angus Greenlaw and two brothers, Joseph and Gerald Senn.
Visiting took place at Ells Funeral Home on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM. The funeral service will take place at the Church of The Ascension on Monday, May 26, 2014 at 1:30 PM with Rev. Dana Dean officiating. Interment to follow at the North Head Community Cemetery. In lieu of flowers Virginia’s memory can be honored with donations to the Grand Manan Youth Artists (in care of Dana Dean) or memorial plants for the New Grand Manan Nursing Home. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Ells Funeral Home Inc., 1199 Route 776, Grand Manan, NB E5G 1G2. Condolences, messages of sympathy also may be sent to www.ells.ca or (506)662-3116.