We are sad to announce the passing of our mom and grandmother as her family gathered and held her hands.
Born in Minneapolis, MN, Virginia spent her early years as the cherished only child of Raymond and Ruth Henneman.
Virginia attended the U of M at 16 years old. Her four years there included two years of medical school.
She met John Emil Dorn as he was working on his PhD, and in 1936, they married. Shortly after they were married John was offered a position at UC Berkeley. He was a professor of Metallurgy there until his death in 1973.
Virginia and John had two sons John R. Dorn and Michael R. Dorn whom she always said were her “best life’s work”. A move to Orinda followed in 1952. She was the Medical Technician and Manager of a doctor’s office in Orinda for ten years.
Art and Music have always been a passion of Virginia’s. Lifelong friendships developed as she began painting in the 1950’s. Developing her own style she became a prolific artist, and was a leader of women in the arts. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women’s Caucus for the Arts in 1996, is listed in Who’s Who and received many awards for her paintings. She was a member of many art communities, including the Valley Art Association, East Bay Women Artists, The Oakland Art Association, and San Francisco Women Artists,was instrumental in obtaining a permanent gallery for the San Francisco Women Artists.
She is survived by her son, Michael his wife Doris,and Rosemary Beardsley (Dorn) Richter and her husband Ed. She was predeceased by her son, John R. Dorn. Her loving grandchildren, Monica Dorn, Nicholas Dorn, and Alyssa Dorn,Andrew Barham(Sara), Laura Barham Brown(Dan)and Kelly Barham(Will Payne) and little great-grandsons, Jonathan and Atticus Brown will all miss her.
If a remembrance is wished, please consider donating to the San Francisco Women Artists, 3489 Sacramento Street, SF, CA 94118, or the March of Dimes.
