Viriginia Critchfield at the ranch in Wendell, Idaho

Memories

Virginia and Carol Critchfield

Carol Critchfield, Virginia's sister, tells the story of how she and Virginia would play together on long summer afternoons in the big garage behind their Grandmother Higley's home in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Virginia invented many of their childhood games, including one of their favorites, "The Great Unknown," in which Carol would wait breathlessly inside the garage until Virginia, outside, knocked slowly and dramatically upon the door. "Who is it?" Carol would whisper. "It is I," came the mysterious and thrilling answer. "The Great Unknown."

Paul Critchfield

Paul Critchfield, Virginia's nephew, fondly recalls his aunt during Christmas holidays, when she would pull up in her car with its Motorola radio to the front of his mother's home in Riverside, Illinois, step out and walk over to unlatch the trunk, and then lift out an enormous laundry basket overflowing with gorgeously wrapped, sparkling Christmas gifts. To young Paul, the dazzling sight of his aunt bearing gifts-along with her own infectious spirit of joy and love-transformed Virginia into an almost magical figure of enchantment. He called her "Mrs. Claus."