Virginia L. Candreia

Virginia Lee Allen Candreia died October 5, 2011 at Midland Hospice House in Topeka, Kansas. She was born August 9, 1933 in Burlington, Kansas to John Wesely and Ethel May (Slagel) Allen. At the age of 3, she moved with her family to Topeka, Kansas. She married Thomas Elwood Evans January 6, 1950 in Topeka, Kansas. They had four children, Ginger Sue Lloyd (Phillip), David Timothy Evans (Ellen), Carlene Diane Singh (Jag), and John Russell Evans. After divorce, Virginia married Anthony Candreia in 1965. They had two children, Cynthia Kay and Sandra Kay Lutrell (Eric). She has been with her current partner, Thurman Junior Hawkins for 35 years . They had one son, Benjamin Allen (Amber).

Virginia was amazingly creative. She was a professional seamstress and created costumes. She was the original American Picker. She owned and operated Retail Resale shops in Portland, Oregon for many years.

She is survived by 5 of her children; 14 grandchildren, Lisa Elder (Matt), Kelly Farley (Curtis), David Bennett (Tammy), Rebecca Hegler (Tim), Justin Lloyd (Melissa), Erin Barnes, Heather Knudson (Monta), Andrew Evans, Jacob Wenzloff (Bethany), Jennifer Cline (Brett), Tonya Byrne (Jerry), Nicko Candreia, Alex Castro, and Gavin Candreia; 27 great-grandchildren; 1great-great-granddaughter; 1 sister Runella Mercer; and a life-long best friend Beulah Proctor.

She was preceded in death by 2 children, Cynthia Kay in 1967 and John Russell in 1991; both of her brothers, Roger and Floyd Allen; and her parents.

Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice Care, 200 SW Frazier Cir. Topeka, KS 66606.

She battled heart disease for 40 years and is now resting in peace. As a wife, mother, and grandmother, she will be truly missed.