Birth date: Aug 28, 1944 Death date: Jan 2, 2015
Virginia Opperman, 70, of San Mateo died at Kaiser Hospital in South San Francisco on January 2, 2015.She was born on August 28, 1944 in Napa, CA, to William (Homer) & Jane Opperman. She graduated from Napa High School in 1962 and Read Obituary
I knew Virginia for almost 40 years meeting her through our mutual interest in bridge. We took annual trips to Ashland, Oregon with two other friends for almost 30 years. The four of us also visited Yosemite for many years, camping out in the tent cabins. Virginia was always great to be around. In all the years I knew her I never heard her get upset with anyone. I will miss her.
Many of you asked for our address. It is 3533 Sandybrook Lane, Napa 94558.
I’m very sorry for the family’s loss of this beautiful person. I am not able to attend the service as I will be out of town. If you’d like, you may read my memories at the service. I met Virginia in 1986 at F.D. Roosevelt school. I think she was the special ed. RSP teacher at the time. We worked together at that school. I was teaching a very difficult fifth grade class. Virginia was so very helpful with her knowledge and advice. She was so very kind to me. I had great respect for her and appreciated her gentle, thoughtful manner. In the year 1999 or 2000, my daughter was a special education student in a special day class at F. D. Roosevelt. My daughter was spiraling out of control due to mental illness. She was desperately in need of serious intervention. We had an IEP meeting regarding her. Virginia, as the special ed. director, chaired the meeting. She was amazing. As a family we were desperate to help our daughter, but didn’t know what to do next. We were in a lot of pain over our daughters’ mental illness. Virginia handled us with such kindness, compassion, and grace. She gave us very specific advice and steps to take to help our daughter. She encouraged us on our very difficult path. We left the meeting feeling more hopeful, and a bit less fearful for our daughter. We followed every bit of advice she gave us, and the advice was right on target and led to our daughter getting the help she desperately needed. Because of Virginia, our daughter began a path that helped her tremendously. No one else was able to do that for us, least of whom was her psychiatrist. I admire Virginia greatly, and will forever be grateful for her role in helping our daughter during such a very desperate time. I send my condolences.
I worked with Virginia at Jefferson Elementary School District one year before she retired. It was my first year as a special education teacher. She mentored me and tirelessly helped me to understand the various components of special education. I adored her patience and dedication. Virginia taught me that building trusting relationships is key in working with children. She gave me the necessary tools to carry my job effectively. I will never forget her kindness to me. She will always be in my thoughts and in my prayers. Condolence to her family and to all those who loved her. She will be truly missed! Elaine Francisco
From Kathy Kelly-Breitler I worked with Virginia at Jefferson Elementary School District from 1976 until she retired. She was a terrific special education mentor to me during my years of teaching a special day class. She was a resource of information and many helpful suggestions on instructional materials and techniques. She was my “boss” when she became the Director of Special Education and it was wonderful to work under her direction. She was approachable, knowledgeable, kind, a mentor, a friend, a teacher, a confidant and had a wonderful sense of humor. When she retired, we went on several trips to Asia with my husband Bruce and her sister Rosanne with other friends we have worked with. The four of us became big Hearts players and spent many hours waiting for flights by setting up a “table” using one of our carry on bags so we could pass the time playing cards. I am so happy that I was able to work with her and also spend time with her on a personal level. My deepest sympathies go out o Rosanne and her family. May she rest in peace.
From Jeanne Mahan In 2002 Virginia and I took a trip to New England to see the pretty fall leaves and places of interest. I moved to Arlington, VA in 2008. Virginia came to visit in September. We went all around Washington, D.C. using the Metro. There is so much here to see so she came back in 2009 and we pretty well finished it all. One Sunday when things were closed I drove to Mt. Vernon not very far away. It is the one thing open on weekends. Virginia was a welcome guest. I belonged to the San Mateo County Genealogy Society. After Virginia retired she got interested in her genealogy and joined also. She did a very good job on her ancestor lines It is well organized so I hope someone in the family is interested in it. One time Virginia, Mary Pattis, Jeanie Laharty, and I decided to go to Disneyland. We flew down to near Disneyland. I had reserved a rental car for us. When we got there, they said the rule was the one who had their name on the reservation was to be the driver. We had a ruff time convincing them that we knew it would be better for their car if Virginia drove. So I became the navigator with the map. We got to the hotel. Mary and Jeanie shared a room and Virginia and I shared another room. When the bell boy opened the door to our room, Virginia immediately said she had asked for a smoke free room and that room was not. So we got a different room. After we got in bed, the ground started to shake. We both dashed for doorways. There were 2 doorways in the room. The next morning we found out that Mary had been in bed and stayed there. And Jeanie was still up but just ignored the shaking. I cherish the times Virginia, Mary Pattis, Diann Delucchi, Jeanie Laharty and I got together at one of our houses for pizza and dessert. Then after we would play Attack Uno. That was so much fun.
