Saratoga Springs, NY - Virginia Lois Walker Bruce, of Van Dorn Street, passed away peacefully Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011 at Saratoga Hospital. She was 83. Born on Feb. 4, 1928 in Roncerverte, WV, she was one of nine children of Ada Grace and Lemuel Walker. Though she faced tremendous hardship growing up in the poverty of Appalachia, she graduated at the top of her high school class and later became a registered nurse, graduating from Adirondack Community College, while raising her two children. She worked for several local doctors, at Saratoga Hospital and finally at the Wesley Health Care Center as a nursing supervisor into her eighties. In 1992, she received the New York State Legislatures Nurse of Distinction Award. The consummate caretaker and care giver, her greatest passion was her family and her love was boundless. Her unique combination of intelligence, wit, grace, strength, and Southern charm caused all who knew her to love her. Besides being a devoted mother, grandmother, sister and friend, she was a voracious reader, a Sweet Adeline's singer, an Arthur Murray ballroom dancer and most recently, a prolific writer of short stories that reflected her trying times growing up in the hills of West Virginia. Virginia leaves behind her son, Robert Robby Bruce and his wife Jo-Ann White; her daughter, Lauren Genny Bruce; grandson, Collin Bruce; granddaughters, Erin and Haley Bruce; step grandson, Collin White; step granddaughter, Abbey White; eight siblings, Beulah of Jersey Shore, PA, Juanita of Youngtown, AZ, Jeane of Nicholasville, KY, Edward of Monroe, NJ, Henry of Charlottesville, VA, Anna Mae of Ocala, FL, James of Warrenton, VA, Helen of Lexington, KY; her former husband Wallace Lofty Bruce and many nieces and nephews. At Virginias request, there will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am Thursday (Feb. 10, 2011) in The Church of St. Peter, 241 Broadway, by the Rev. Matthew B. Wetsel, associate pastor. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga, 480 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. The family would like to thank the local Hospice staff as well as the nurses at Saratoga Hospital for their exceptional care and compassion. Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway (584-5373). Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.