On December 19, 2017, Virginia (Lewis) Sohrakoff, age 97, passed away surrounded by family at her home in Wheatland, California. Virginia was born December 19, 1920 in Marysville, California, but she grew up and lived most of her life in Wheatland.

After Virginia graduated from Wheatland High School in 1938, she attended University of California at Berkley. She obtained a job as a housekeeper to help support herself while there, but she returned to Wheatland after one semester. As Virginia explained, moving from a very small town to a large city and university caused her to become very homesick. After returning to Wheatland, Virginia attended Yuba City College for a time and subsequently transferred to Chico State College. On September 29, 1940, Virginia married John I. Sohrakoff. While she and John raised two children, Virginia managed to complete a degree at Chico State College. Afterward she studied for her teaching credential at Sacramento State College.

Virginia began her teaching career at Sheridan Elementary School where she taught for two years until being hired by Browns Elementary School. She remained at Browns School, first as a teacher, then as school principal and finally as principal and district superintendent until she retired in 1985. She was especially proud of her accomplishments and close ties with the Rio Oso community. Virginia loved teaching and always maintained her lifelong passion for learning.

Sewing was another big part of Virginia's life from a young age. Always an excellent seamstress, she made most of her own school clothes as well as her children's. After retirement she became an avid quilter, preferring the traditional designs. She created many beautiful, large quilts which she gave to family and friends. She belonged to various organizations including Eastern Star, Retired Teachers, Quilting Guilds and Wheatland Supper Club.

Virginia was preceded in death by her mother Hazel Irene (Hollingshead) Lewis, her father Roy Lewis, her older brother Clay Lewis, her older sister Clyda (Lewis) Woodard
and her younger sister Mignon (Lewis) Boitano. Also preceding her in death were her nieces Geraldine (Woodard) Long, and Joan (Woodard) Starkweather.

Virginia is survived by her husband John Ivan Sohrakoff, her daughter Janet (Sohrakoff) Thornton, her son Wayne Lee Sohrakoff (Penny), grandchildren Ronald Thornton, Michelle (Sohrakoff) Redstone, Ivan Wayne Sohrakoff and great grandchild Brianna Thornton. Virginia also leaves behind her niece Kathy Boitano and her nephews Danny Boitano, Walter (Butch) Woodard Jr., William Lewis, Robert Lewis , James Lewis and Ladd Lewis.

A funeral will be held for Virginia on Friday, January 5, 2018 at 12:30 pm at Lipp & Sullivan funeral home in Marysville. The family is requesting that instead of flowers a donation be made to the Wheatland Historical Society, Hospice or the charity of your choice.
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