In Memory

Virginia L Simmons (Beagle) - Class Of 1940

Virginia L Simmons (Beagle)

Virginia Beagle of Gorham, Maine, died on January 27, 2021, at the age of 98, passing peacefully away in the presence of her beloved family. Virginia had a splendid life, filled with laughter, love, and travel. Always curious, always ready for any adventure, always eager to hear her youngest son play guitar, to share stories with her great-grandchildren, to relish a lobster roll at the Lobster Shack or paint flowers, Virginia enjoyed life to the fullest right up to the end.

Virginia, an identical twin, was born in Inglewood, California on August 2, 1922 to Herbert and Dorothy Gott Simmons. Although Virginia was an identical twin and she and her twin were dressed identically by their parents throughout their youth, Virginia was very much one of a kind. She had an infectious enthusiasm for life, a friendliness to all whom she met, and a fortitude and positivity unmatched. Virginia and her twin Isabelle Jean (SPHS '40) grew up in a loving household during the Great Depression, attended South Pasadena High School, and then Broad Oaks Teacher College in Pasadena.

In 1943 Virginia met Eldon Beagle at a dance mixer with the Cal Tech boys, and they were married in 1945 in  a double wedding with her sister and fiance Gordon Roberts at the Pasadena Presbyterian Church. Virginia always spoke of this as one of the many highlights in her life. After marriage, Eldon and Virginia settled in East Sacramento, and Virginia began teaching kindergarten for 27 years. She received her master's degree in Education from Sacramento State College. Virginia was an active member in Eastern Star, PEO, attended First Parish Congregational Church in Gorham, helped prepare meals for seniors at St Anne's Church, and loved to read to preschoolers at Lisa Seiferth's.

Virginia traveled extensively throughout her adult life - visiting over 20 countries including Japan, China, and India, oftentimes with Eldon who died in Bangladesh in 1983, often with Elderhostel and wonderful friends whom she met through that organization, and later with her daughter Nancy.

Virginia lived most of her life in Sacramento, moving to Gorham, Maine, in 2005 to reside with her oldest son, Alan, and his wife Linda. Virginia is survived by her four children and their spouses, Alan (Linda) Beagle of Gorham, Nancy Beagle of San Gabriel, David (Karen) Beagle of Clermont, Florida, and Martin (Debi) Beagle of Olympia, Washington; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren, all whom she thoroughly enjoyed.

Portland Press Herald, February 7, 2021