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MAHER -- Virginia K. Maher, 83, of Albuquerque, NM died peacefully Sunday, January 25, 2009 at Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital in Albuquerque. She spent her early life in Dunkirk, NY and graduated near there as an RN from Mercy Hospital Nursing School in Buffalo, NY. Always adventurous, Virginia and two friends then drove the old Route 66 from New York to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Virginia remained in Albuquerque for several years but later moved back to Dunkirk to be with family. She worked there as a nurse at the SUNY College at Fredonia. She often reminisced about those fun-filled years in the "Land of Enchantment" and eventually moved back to Albuquerque in 1984 with her children, where she spent the remainder of her life. In Albuquerque, her career included nursing and public service. Virginia was a devoted mother whose greatest joy was her children. She also enjoyed the arts, reading, spending time with friends and family, church activities and volunteer work. She was an eternal optimist, who saw the positive side of things and never complained, even in the last months of her life when she had become quite ill. She was the most unselfish person you could hope to know, always putting the needs of others ahead of her own. Anyone who had the good fortune to know her would comment on her lovely smile that would light up the room. Virginia was a true joy to everyone who met her. Virginia is predeceased by her parents, William and Dorothy McClenathan of Dunkirk, NY; her sister, Jane McCabe of Erie, PA; and her brother, Bob McClenathan of Dunkirk, NY. She is survived by her children, Brian Maher of Albuquerque, NM and Marie Maher and her husband Mike Schulz of Placitas, NM ; her sister, Ann Smith of Dunkirk, NY; her brother, Dr. Tom McClenathan of Orchard Park, NY; her sister-in-law, Mary Toponce and her husband, Karl Toponce, of Albuquerque, NM; her brother-in-law, Eddie Maher of Rio Rancho, NM; her sister-in-law, Linda Neuman and her husband, Norbert Neuman, of Salt Lake City, UT; her sister-in-law, Janet McClenathan of Dunkirk, NY; and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Annunciation Church, 2621 Vermont St NE, in Albuquerque, NM on Thursday, February 5, 2009. The Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Dunkirk, NY at a future time to be determined later. Virginia gave freely to charity her entire life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The NM Cancer Center Foundation, 4901 Lang Ave. NE, Suite 101, Albuquerque, NM 87109. Arrangements by Direct Funeral Services, 2919 4th St, NW, ABQ, 87107. 343-8008
        Published on: Sun February 01, 2009