It is with sadness that we share the news of the death of the Rev. Dr. Virginia Sparling. Virginia died of natural causes in her Methow Valley home on Feb. 23. She was 87. In serving several small fellowships and providing pulpit supply, Virginia often referred to herself as a “PNWD Circuit Rider.” She was instrumental in the formation of the Methow Valley UU Fellowship in Twisp, WA (currently non-UUA-affiliated.) Throughout her life, Virginia lived her aphorism that “service is the rent you pay for your space on Earth.” In addition to her ministry, she filled local, state and national PTA roles; established a youth crisis hotline; and served numerous other civic organizations. Virginia is survived by her husband, Gerald; two sons, Gerald Jr. and Eugene; and three grandchildren. Plans will be announced for two late-spring services, one at East Shore Unitarian Church in Bellevue, WA and the other in the Methow Valley. [Read obituaries in the Seattle Times and the Methow Valley News.]
