Born Virginia Claire Parker in Miami, Florida, on March 11, 1928, she grew up in Roanoke with her brother, Moses Lacy Parker III, and her sister, Helen Parker Chocklett, both of whom preceded her in death.

 

Virginia graduated from Roanoke’s Jefferson High School and Randolph Macon Women’s College, earning a master’s degree in Social Work from V.C.U. in 1952. She began her career in Norfolk, where she met a young N.A.C.A. engineer, John William “Bill” Goslee, who would become her husband in 1953. Together, they moved to South Bend, Indiana, where she was a Family Service caseworker, and she gave birth to her first child, Jack. A daughter, Ann, was born in Connecticut, and a second daughter, Pat, was born in California before the family settled down in Newport News in the early 1960s.

 

Virginia had a long, rewarding career as a social worker at the Riverside Hospital Community Mental Health Clinic. As a volunteer, she organized and ran a support group for families of schizophrenics. She enjoyed playing bridge with her friends, swimming, and traveling, and was an elder at Hidenwood Presbyterian Church.

 

Virginia’s husband Bill preceded her in death. She is survived by her three children and their families: Jack, his wife Cathy and their son Cody; Pat, her husband Michael O’Sullivan and their son Simon; and Ann, who has been by her mother’s side, providing selfless care and companionship for the last eight years of Virginia’s life.  

 

Over the last 13 years of her life, nurse Beverly Cross helped Virginia to navigate the end of her journey, providing indispensable tender loving care.

 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Virginia’s name to the National Alliance on Mental Health.  https://donate.nami.org/give/197406/#!/donation/checkout.

 

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.