Virginia Ann Sly began her earthly journey on June 5, 1927, in Peoria, IL. A few minutes later, her identical twin sister, Betty, joined her. They would travel this world for the next 98 years, not always together, but not always apart. Their parents were Flossie and Earl Lapier. Sadly, Flossie became a single parent when the girls were only six months old, as Earl died on January 28, 1928.

Flossie raised her daughters in Peoria, where they led an active life in their Methodist church, graduated from Manual High School, and both attended a secretarial school after graduation. Their first job was at a hotel in Chicago, both taking turns getting people to and from various floors on the hotel’s elevator. Later, Virginia worked at a law firm in downtown Chicago. She eventually met Maurice Sly at a church camp in Michigan. They were married in the Chicago Methodist Temple on May 24, 1952. Her sister, Betty, was also married that same year in October to Richard Steele.

1952 was the year Betty and Virginia took different paths in life. Betty stayed in the Chicago area while Virginia and Mo settled in Denver, CO. Their son Kenneth was born in Denver, but when Mo graduated from the University of Denver, they moved to Clairton, PA. Wanting to utilize his newly acquired business degree, he managed a cafeteria at a steel mill in the town of Clairton. It was in nearby McKeesport that their daughter, Barbara, was born on Virginia’s 28th birthday. Two years later, the family moved back to the Denver area and bought a house in Arvada, CO. It was there that two more daughters, Sharon and Julie, were added to the family. Virginia would live in the same house in Arvada for the next 62 years.

Virginia was actively involved as her family grew over the years. She was a 4-H leader, Sunday School teacher for disabled students, active in her Presbyterian church women’s group, and volunteered at the local food pantry and senior center. She worked for many years as an office manager for her church and an upholstery company.

Virginia’s leisure time was spent camping with her family. There were trips in the mountains and a variety of summer vacations. As their four children left home, Virginia and Mo invested in a camping trailer and traveled over 8,000 miles, eventually visiting all fifty states.

In 2009, Mo passed away. Virginia continued to live on her own in Arvada, with the help of her daughter, Julie. Virginia moved to assisted living facilities in Colorado from 2019-2024 with the help of her daughter, Sharon. In September of 2024, Virginia joined her daughter, Barb, in Dubuque, IA where she moved into Bethany Home. Virginia’s sister, Betty, passed away on September 11, 2025. The twins finally met again to begin their eternal journey when Virginia passed away on February 12, 2026.

Virginia is survived by her children, Ken, Barb, Sharon and Julie. She is also survived by her six grandchildren, Xavier, Chelsea, Nick, Tom, Kira and Eric, as well as three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, and grandson, Lee.

A special thanks goes to the staff at Bethany Home in Dubuque, IA for their wonderful care and compassion.

A celebration of Virginia’s life will be at a later date this summer.