Following Virginia's remarks, Sister Ann Ida, obviously moved, responded simply, "I think that all I'd really like to say, Virginia, is that your faith strengthens our faith." As president of Mundelein College, Sister Ann Ida continued to be a close personal friend of Virginia's as well as a philanthropic associate. It had been during the dedication of the Paul V. Galvin Resource Learning Center at Mundelein College in 1969 that Virginia had quietly confided to Sister Ann Ida the news of her engagement to Ken Piper. Now, the two women stood together dedicating the Center for the Study of Religious Education in Ken Piper's memory, two friends, both of high public profile and steadfast spiritual faith, in loyal affection for each other, an affection that would last until Virginia's death in 1999.

The year of Ken's death also saw Virginia present at the dedication of the Paul V. Galvin Heart Pavilion at Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston. It speaks to Virginia's character that even while newly bereaved, she would continue her good works on behalf of her first husband while continuing to honor her second husband. During that dedication, the hymn "You are Near," as sung by the St. Louis Jesuits, must have offered Virginia momentary solace and shone light on the seemingly bleak path before her.

Lord, you have searched my heart,
and you know when I sit and when I stand.
Your hand is upon me protecting me from death,
keeping me from harm.

Where can I run from your love?
If I climb to the heavens you are there;
if I fly to the sunrise or sail beyond the sea,
still I'd find you there.

You know my heart and its ways,
you who formed me before I was born,
in the secret of darkness before I saw the sun
in my mother's womb.

Marvelous to me are your works;
how profound are your thoughts, my Lord.
Even if I could count them, they number as the stars,
you would still be there.

-You Are Near, 1971, 1974, music & lyrics by Daniel L. Schutte

Ken and Virginia Piper

Bittersweet solace would no doubt come, too, from memories and mementoes, physical touchstones of cherished times with Ken, the sort of plain, simple things Virginia treasured, things heartfelt and natural, like their private word "foreverly," their favorite song, "Embraceable You," and the numerous handwritten notes from Ken, found carefully saved among Virginia's papers at her death.