Virginia Walbert Garner, 82, of Tryon Estates, Columbus, NC, died November 2, 2007.Born in Wilmington, DE, she was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Solomon S. Walbert, Chestertown, MD. She was preceded in death by daughter, Wendy Lee, and her husband John C. Garner, Jr., who died in 2004.A 1942 graduate of Chestertown High School, she attended and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington College. She studied voice briefly in Baltimore, moved to Philadelphia to continue studies, and a job with Pennsylvania Blue Cross Blue Shield.She and John married April 30, 1949 in Fairlee, MD. They made their home in Hatboro, PA, and later Jenkintown for 40 years. Moving to Tryon Estates in February 2004 she joined the Laurel Lake Music Society, book club, and Red Hatters.Mrs. Garner sang for more than 30 years doing music therapy with the Hospital Music program of the American Red Cross. She was a member of the Matinee Musical Club of Philadelphia and sang many heroines with local light opera and music theater groups. Together with John as the makeup artist, she enjoyed 10 years as lead soprano with the Savoy Company of Philadelphia singing Gilbert and Sullivan.Church music was always an important part of her life finding a career in oratorio and sacred music to be very fulfilling at St. John's Lutheran Church and Jenkintown United Methodist Church.Mrs. Garner is survived by her daughters Margaret E. Garner, Joan G. Kaiser, (John); grandson R. Garner Kaiser; brother Donald T. Walbert, DVM, (Peg); five nieces and nephews; seven great nieces and nephews.A memorial service will be held Friday November 30, 2:00PM Tryon Presbyterian Church, 430 Harmon Field Rd., Tryon, NC. Memorials may be sent to The Melmark Home Inc. 2600 Wayland Rd., Berwyn PA 19312. A graveside ceremony will be at Westminster Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA, Saturday, December 8, 2007 at 2:00 P.M.
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