Virginia Miller

Virginia Lee Miller
March 17, 1956 – November 29, 2013 Virginia Lee Miller peacefully took her final breath and died on November 29, 2013 in Colorado; her adopted state she vowed would always be home. A true western girl at heart, Virginia loved dogs and horses, ranching, gardening, and, as she called it, "working the land". She treated her animals so well that some people said they wanted to be reincarnated as one of her dogs. Never shy about expressing her opinion, Virginia enjoyed smart conversation and had little time for meaningless banter. Her simple lifestyle was in stark contrast to her intellectual appetite for politics, current affairs, and discussions of legal concepts. As an accomplished Scrabble player, she kept a dictionary on her coffee table often referring to it while watching Judge Judy on TV or in seeking a new word to use letter X who besides Virginia knew Xi and Xu were official Scrabble words?. Virginia also enjoyed playing cards; in particular, Texas Hold 'em. She was known to beat people who played on card leagues, but whether besting someone at cards was due to her excellent memory or an even better ability to bluff, she never let on. From the time she was born as Virginia Lee Edwards in San Antonio, Texas, Virginia moved frequently. First, with her mother to California, then to numerous places in Washington and Oregon, then finally, Colorado. After completing her education in California, Virginia spent 5 years as an advertising account executive and occasionally modeled appearing in print ads. Her last ad campaign was in 1989 for Porsche USA. While in Washington, Virginia operated an International Hostel catering to bicyclists from many countries around the globe. During her time in Oregon, she helped manage the Sunny Side Ranch, a thoroughbred horse breeding facility. Virginia's time at the ranch ended when an encounter with a young stallion left her with severe nerve damage to both arms. Over the years there were men in and out of Virginia's life, however, she never had children one of her few regrets. In 2006, she met Tom Cohenour, her soul-mate and love of her life, in Colorado. They enjoyed camping in Rocky Mountain National Park, cross-country road trips, playing Scrabble occasionally, she let him win, and "working the land" at their rural home in LaPorte, Colorado. Sunday morning breakfast was always toasted, well-buttered bagels, lox, and cream cheese topped with a few capers along with fresh coffee. In addition to Tom Cohenour and his extended family, Virginia leaves behind her mother Mary Glumac; one sister, Lisa Adams; one cousin, James Von Sauer, all of Republic, Washington; one brother, Nick Glumac and his wife, Patti of Mahomet, Illinois; six nephews; one dog, Invay; special friends, Larry and Shirley Drain of Fort Collins, Colorado; and several close friends. Visitation and Celebration of Life will be held at Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, CO on Saturday, December 14, 2013 from 12:30 PM until 2:00 PM at which time there will be a short Christian service with burial immediately afterwards at Grandview Cemetery in Fort Collins, CO.