On the morning of March 19, 2009, longtime Claremont resident Virginia Joyce Angell died peacefully at Mt. San Antonio Gardens, her home for the last decade. 

“Virginia Angell was a giver of smiles, laughter, compassion and love,” wrote her children in a remembrance.

Born in Logan, Iowa in 1918 to Edward and Cora Axthelm, Mrs. Angell was one of 4 children raised in a loving home of educators. Growing up in the numerous small towns where the family lived was always a part of her character and happiness.

“It was just that kind of small town Iowa sincerity that characterized her personality through most of her life,” said her son, Jim Angell. “It wasn’t a naiveté, just a solid, genuine, Midwestern view of life.  She had a lot of pleasure in her childhood.”

Attending college at the end of the Depression years was no easy trick. But with the importance placed on education in her family, lack of money did not deter them from sending her forth. According to her son, Mrs. Angell’s mother had the last word on the subject, saying, “I don’t care, you’re going!”

In 1936, when Mrs. Angell entered Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, her world changed forever.

“Those 4 years of Tri-Delts, choir, autumn afternoons and education resulted in some golden memories and lifelong friends. It was also where she met her future husband, Jim Angell,” according to her children.

They were married on November 15, 1942: “Their marriage was a union blessed by God,” said their son.  

“Their 4 children were the foundation and enjoyment of their lives,” he continued. “Their love for each other and the family was expressed fully.”

The partnership that Mrs. Angell and her husband shared was never more evident then when they accepted the call to the Christian ministry. In the 50 years that they subsequently served Presbyterian churches in Iowa, Kentucky, California and New York, they enjoyed a life of shared passion and service.

“It truly was a partnership in ministry,” their son remarked.

Mrs. Angell also spent time teaching, enlightening children from Mt. Pleasant, Iowa to inner-city Los Angeles. She embraced her musical talents and used them to spread joy. In the various churches she and her husband served, she often directed the youth choir.  She raised her children with an appreciation of music as well.

“It was a love she passed on to her family,” said her son.

Her desire to further women’s opportunities through education was expressed through her lifelong involvement in PEO.

Mrs. Angell was preceded in death by her husband Jim in 1992, daughter Susan in 1970, and by her brother David in 1953. She is survived by her children: Ann of Denver, Colorado, spouse Chris, grandchildren Scott, Sabine, and Kofi; son Jim of Everett, Washington, spouse Renee, grandchildren Tyler and Dylan; daughter Mary of Dallas, Texas, grandchildren Susan and Stephen; by her sister Frieda Yakish of Claremont; and by her brother Bob Axthelm of Plantation, Florida.

According to her family, of all the places Mrs. Angell called home over the years, Claremont was special.

“Since 1969 when she and Jim were first embraced by the loving gathering of Christians at Claremont Presbyterian Church, Virginia knew she was home,” they wrote. “It was only fitting that the glorious memorial service celebrating her life was held at the church on March 23, 2009.”

In providing the photo for this story, her family commented, “If you need to know what the view from heaven might look like, take a glimpse of the picture.  You can almost hear her laughing from here.”