Virginia Lee Conger Wigington

Memorial service for Virginia Lee Conger Wigington, 80, a resident of Lawrence since 1972, will be 3 pm, Saturday, July 13, 2013, at Brandonwoods Town Hall. She died Monday, July 8, 2013, in her home. She was known to her family and friends as Gini.

She was born August 8, 1932, in Pawhuska, OK, the daughter of Dr. Robert W. and Rosetta Hall Conger. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Pawhuska.

Gini graduated from Pawhuska High School in 1949. She attended Columbia College (formerly Christian College) in Columbia, MO, and earned her bachelor of music education degree at Oklahoma State University in 1953. She was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota music sorority. She did post-graduate work at the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, where she also taught elementary and junior high vocal music and chorus.

She married John Henry Wigington Aug. 31, 1952, in Pawhuska, OK. Mr. Wigington’s 23-year career as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force took the couple to numerous air bases across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. After a 3-year tour as associate professor of Air Force ROTC at the University of Kansas, Lt. Col. Wigington retired from the Air Force, and the couple made Lawrence their permanent home.

Gini’s great love of music began in her childhood with piano and dance lessons. As a teenager, she was active in hometown choirs, theatre productions and recitals. As the family moved during her husband’s Air Force career, she joined choirs and choruses (both secular and church-based) and served as accompanist. She was a member of the Lawrence Civic Choir. She was a life-long supporter of the arts, enjoying season subscriptions at Theatre Lawrence, the University of Kansas and the Lied Center. In June of this year, she donated her beloved piano to Theatre Lawrence.

She was also active in the KU Women’s Club, the KU University Bridge Club and other local bridge groups and the Lawrence Antiques Group.

She is survived by daughter Leslie Wigington, Colorado Springs, CO; daughter Lisa Miller, Grand Rapids, MI; son John Robert, Baldwin, KS; six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

The family suggests memorials to Grace Hospice or Theatre of Lawrence, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, KS 66044.

Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com