Virginia V. Sando

Virginia V. Sando went to be with the Lord on Tuesday evening, January 24, 2017 while surrounded by her family at the Kaseman Hospice Unit. She was happy to be able to celebrate her 63rd birthday. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Parker Sando; daughter, Dorothy Matsumura; son-in-law, Seiji Matsumura; sisters, Neyda Casaus and Mary Ann Gallego; and many other nieces and nephews. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Andres G. Vigil and Lucia Vigil.

She was born on January 10, 1954, in Cuba, N.M., in the doctor's home. Her family moved to Albuquerque in 1961 and she graduated from Valley High School in 1974. She went to the University of Albuquerque and received her LPN nursing license. She worked for 35 years at Presbyterian Hospital working first as a floor nurse, then as an Operating Room Nurse in the main hospital, then at the Kaseman Hospital. In 2005 she received her BSN degree from Excelsior College. She then worked as a clinical nursing instructor for the Central New Mexico Community College. Working with and teaching students was one of the most rewarding aspects of her career. One of the highlights of her career was a medical mission to Guatemala to help provide surgical services to the poor.

A Rosary will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2017, 6:00 p.m. at FRENCH - University. Services will be held at St. Therese Catholic Church at 3424 Fourth St., on Thursday, February 2, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 1900 Edith Blvd.