Virginia Lee Elsbury

The service for Virginia will be livestreamed, and the link will be available 10 minutes before the service starts (10:50 am, Saturday, March 22, 2025) at: https://gcchome.online.church/

Virginia Lee Callanan Elsbury passed away on February 21, 2025, at the age of 96, at Thrive of Lake County. She was born May 23 or 25, 1928, in Waukegan, IL. Her family moved to Gurnee in 1938. She graduated from Gurnee Grade School and Warren Township High School. She married Lester Elsbury in 1947, and had 6 children, one that was still born. They divorced in 1986.

While her kids were growing up she volunteered with the Brownies, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Little league, Band Parents and PTA. She was also a member of Gurnee Community Church and the Gurnee American Legion Auxiliary.

Later after her kids had grown Virginia volunteered at the Gurnee Middle School Library and then was a Kindergarten Assistant. She was tickled when a former kindergarten child would recognize her and tell her about how they are now married with kids of their own. She worked for the Gurnee School District 56 office for 40 years, and then worked for Community Trust Credit Union before finally retiring.

Virginia was a member of the Gurnee Woman’s Club, the 10th District Woman’s Club and a Past President of the 10th District. She was a member of The Senior Elderberries at Gurnee Community Church and WINGS (Women Interested in Government). She also loved her Bunco and Dominos groups plus her participation in the Red Hat Ladies and attending plays at the Marriott Theater and the PM&L Theater in Antioch.

Virginia was very proud to receive the 2001 Gurnee Days Honoree from the Mayor and the Gurnee Days Corporation where she also received the Book of Golden Deeds from the Breakfast Exchange Club, Dedicated to District 56 award, a beautiful Crystal bowl from Community Trust Credit Union and the Dedication Service award from LCCRC 1987.

Virginia is survived by her children, Lisle (Patti) Elsbury, Lynn (Tom) Doolittle, Gary (Tricia) Elsbury, Wendy Bryant and Lee (Ralph) Volpe. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Dawn Biba, Christopher (Mika) Elsbury, Jim (Jenne) Doolittle, Rick (Brenda) Doolittle, Carmen Hendley, Michelle (JR) Rivera, Jimmy “Buck” Bryant, Kelly (Aaron) Dauby, and Christopher (Cara) Volpe; 25 great grandchildren; and 8 great great grandchildren. Her sisters-in-law, Lois Kassel and Mary Callanan; and many Callanan and Elsbury nieces and nephews also survive her.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, John & Alma Callanan; her ex-husband, Lester Elsbury; her stillborn daughter, Judith Lynn; her brothers, Robert and Jack Callanan; her sister, Doris (Art) Leable; and very close friends, Benny Carlsen and Bob Eiserman.

Visitation will be held at Gurnee Community Church, 4555 Old Grand Avenue, Gurnee, IL on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 9 am - 11 am, followed by a memorial service at 11 am at church, with Pastor Chris Stephens and Pastor Brian Walter officiating. A luncheon will take place at the church after the services. In lieu of flowers, we request memorial donations be made to Gurnee Community Church, Gurnee, IL. Private interment will be at a later date.

Arrangements entrusted to Sambrano Funeral & Cremation, Gurnee, IL. You may sign the online guestbook at LauraSambranoFunerals.com; 847-571-7719.

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