Virginia Joan Hendrickson

Virginia Joan (McCauley) Hendrickson, 92, a lifelong Battle Creek, Michigan resident, died peacefully in her sleep at NorthPointe Woods on Saturday, December 9, 2023.

Virginia was born January 3, 1931, the daughter of Roch Edward and Josephine (Smith) McCauley. She was a 1949 graduate of St. Philip High School. Virginia met the love of her life, William “Bill” Gerald Hendrickson, on a blind date arranged by Bill’s best friend, John Culp. The two were united in marriage on June 10, 1950, at St. Philip Catholic Church. Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; a son, Robert “Bobby” Hendrickson; her parents and four siblings. Surviving are three children, Mary Jo (Herb) McPeake, Frank (Bonnie) Hendrickson, and David (Lori) Hendrickson all of Battle Creek; grandchildren, Brad (Shannon Ambs) Hendrickson, Lacey (Mark) Van Wingerden, Matt McPeake, Elizabeth (David) Jackson, Vance (Chelsea) Eberhard, Heather Eberhard, Christi (Todd) Rapp, Brian McPeake, John McPeake, Jennifer (Ashkan) Nassabi, and 21 great-grandchildren.

Virginia was a lifelong member of St. Philip Catholic Church. She loved everything about her Parish and spent her life supporting St. Philip with her time, generosity and encouragement. She was a member of Council of Catholic Women, a former member of St. Philip Elementary School Board, Camp Fire Girls Leader, Cub Scout Den Mother and a member of St. Martha’s Circle. Virginia ran the Thrift Shop out of the Tiger room, worked on “Entertainment”, and was in charge of the funeral luncheons at St. Philip Catholic Church for many years. She was outgoing, never saying no to anybody, and pitched in to help any way she could. She loved her family and had a you-can-do-it and I-will-help-you-make-it-happen attitude. Virginia will be remembered as strong, spirited, kind, loving, spiritual, and fun to be around.

Friends will be received 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sunday, December 17, 2023, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care, where the Rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Philip Roman Catholic Church 9:30 a.m. Monday, December 18, 2023. Committal and interment will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Philip Restore & Renew Fund, 112 Capital Avenue N.E., Battle Creek, MI 49017. (This is a fund to update the physical and mechanical plant and to beautify the church.)

Personal messages for the family or Virginia stories may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.