Virginia Z. Morrison

Virginia Z. Morrison, age 91 of Midland, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, community leader, philanthropist, avid bridge player, loyal Democrat, and devoted Detroit Tigers fan, Virginia Lee ("Ginny") Z. Morrison died on December 29, 2014, just days shy of her 92nd birthday in Midland, Michigan.

Ginny was born on January 3, 1923, in Kansas City, Missouri to C. Frederick and Charlotte Milton Zimmer. She attended high school there and graduated with a degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri at Columbia at age 20 in 1943, where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. At the University, Ginny met George Morrison whom she subsequently married in 1945. They lived for 10 years in California where Ginny was editor of the Weekly Anaheim Gazette and a staffer for the LA Times and where her three children were born.

Ginny and George moved to Midland in 1955 where Ginny used her training in journalism as an editor at Northwood Press; an instructor in the Journalism Program at Delta College; Notes and Comments author for the Midland Public Schools for 25+ years; and co-author of Building the Arts in Midland, Michigan from 1800-1980s.
During her almost 60-year sojourn in Midland, Ginny was a volunteer extraordinaire, generously sharing her time, talent, wisdom, and resources. Her leadership skills were much in demand, and she often served the organizations in which she was active on their boards of directors and not infrequently served as chair. She was a volunteer's volunteer for a wide array of organizations, including the American Association of University Women, Midland Little League, Midland Public Schools, Midland Community Center, Midland County Council on Aging, First United Methodist Church, Girl Scouts of America, Chippewa Nature Center, Midland Center for the Arts, Midland Community Foundation, Midland County Historical Society, United Way of Midland County, P.E.O., UNICEF, International Club, The Monday Club, Kiwassee Kiwanis, Kings Daughters, Community Awareness Council, Midland Hospital Center Auxiliary, and the League of Women Voters.
Ginny was named Midland's Outstanding Woman of the Year in 1980 and received the Senior Citizen of the Year Award for Service in 1995. She also received a WOW Award (Wonderful Older Woman), the Woman of the Year award from the Midland Community Affairs Council, and a Harris Fellow Rotary Award.

As a philanthropist, Ginny established the Ira George and Virginia Z. Scholarship Fund at the Midland Foundation for a Midland High School senior and contributed to the Kiwassee Kiwanis Foundation, the Midland County Historical Society Heritage Fund, and the Delta College Virginia Z. Morrison Journalism Scholarship, among others.
Ginny was predeceased by her husband of 37 years, her parents, her son Stephen Morrison, her brother Milton Zimmer, her grandson Leland ("Leef") Holly IV, and her sister-in-law Meriam Kokojan.

She is survived by her daughters Charlotte Holly (Leland Holly III) and Janet Nolan (Edward); daughter-in-law Gail Morrison; granddaughters Lindsay Holly, Lauren Millsaps (Andy), and Virginia ("Ginny") Nolan; grandsons Charles Nolan and Gregory Morrison; sisters-in-law Diane Zimmer, Geraldine Morrison, and Norabel Grych; nieces Linda Zimmer, Lori Krominga (Kevin), and Lisa Zimmer-Chu (Dan); great-nieces Maggie Zimmer-Parsons and Alexis Zimmer-Chu; and great-nephew Quinn Zimmer-Chu.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the wonderful staff of Independence Village who took such loving care of Ginny in her final years.

Funeral services for Mrs. Morrison will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday January 3, 2015 from First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Charles Keyworth officiating. Interment will be in Midland City Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Wilson MILLER Funeral Home 4210 N. Saginaw Rd on Friday from 2 till 4:00 p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Midland County Historical Society Heritage Fund, Delta College Virginia Z. Morrison Journalism Scholarship, Kiwassee Kiwanis Foundation, or to the charity of choice. Personal messages of condolence maybe offered to the family at www.wilson-miller.com