The spirit of Virginia Bogert Sample passed gracefully from the bonds of earth September 1, 2013, in Madison, Wisconsin, supported by the presence of her children and other family. Virginia (Ginny) was born January 17, 1922, in Ithaca, New York, the third child of George Gleason Bogert and Lolita Eleanor (Metzger) Bogert.

Virginia was married to Nathaniel Welshire Sample III on May 19, 1945, and until his death in 2001. A graduate of the School of Architecture at Cornell University, Virginia joined the W.A.V.E.S. and served with the Department of the Navy in Washington, D.C. during the Second World War.

Ginny and Nat raised their family in Madison in a house they designed and built. She went on to work as an Interior Designer for the Department of Planning and Construction at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for many years. Quietly, her strong sense of empathy and compassion inspired her in various ways throughout her life, as a long time active member of the Madison Friends Meeting (Quaker), overseeing the renovation of the downtown YWCA as a residential facility during her service on its Board of Directors, and, individually, marching with Veterans for Peace, and engaging those in need when their paths crossed and providing her friendship and support.

Ginny sought to leave the world a better place. She believed instinctively in the power of beauty to improve peoples' lives and nurture their spirits, applying her keen eye for color and balance. She enjoyed art, textiles, and antiques and had a talent for merging aesthetics with the practicalities of home and daily life. She was a devoted gardener, particularly cherishing the transplanting of perennials from home to home and generation to generation. Countless pockets of greenery around the world have benefitted from her spontaneous weeding, a small act of restoration that appeared to give her as much satisfaction as any task more grand.

Virginia was predeceased by her husband Nathaniel, her son Peter N.W. Sample, and her sister Elizabeth Stille. She is survived by her brother George Taylor Bogert of Chicago, Illinois, her children, Gregory W. Sample (Caroline) of Cumberland, Maine, her daughters Deborah Gordon and Phoebe Young, of Lebanon Springs, New York, Joan Sample of Madison, and 11 grandchildren. Also surviving are brother in law William H. Sample (Gloria) of New Paltz, New York, sister in law Mary W. Sample, daughter in law Mary Trainor and son in law David Sample, all of Madison, daughter in law Bonnie Sample of St. Paul, Minnesota, and 10 nieces and nephews. Her family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at the Terraces at Capitol Lakes and Agrace Hospicecare, whose skill and kindness eased her last illness.

A memorial service will be held at the Religious Society of Friends Meeting House, 1704 Roberts Ct., Madison, WI, October 26, 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, those so inclined may honor Ginny's spirit and abiding interests with a donation of service or funds to the Madison Monthly Meeting of Friends, the American Friends Service Committee, or the YWCA Madison. An obituary is also on www.newcomerfh.com.