Virginia was born on December 16, 1912 in Chicago, Ill. She grew up in Fort Wayne, and went on to graduate from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in Terre Haute, Ind. After college she taught in local schools including Huntertown, Ind.
In the early 1940's Virginia attended Northwestern University to work on her masters degree. In 1942 she entered American Red Cross [ARC] serving in Korea during WWll. She also served in England, then mainland Europe, with the 8th Air Force as well as other Army Air Corps units in Europe until the final club was closed in 1948. From 19481950 Virginia served in ARC clubs located in Veteran's Hospitals throughout the US.
In September 1950 Virginia was asked to travel to Tokyo and then on to South Korea to set up clubs for US soldiers. Due to the nature of the war being fought the club mobile program was very restricted in its operation. However, with the help of other WWII club veterans, Virginia was able to begin a successful program for service members from the US and other countries.
While in Korea, Virginia met her future husband, Calvin Hannum, an Army officer. They married on October 27, 1951, after their return to the States. As an Army wife, Virginia moved to Fort Knox, Ky., Norfolk, Va., Washington, D.C. as well as France, Germany and Turkey, where Cal was assigned. During this time she continued in many different volunteer capacities.
Upon Cal's retirement Virginia and Cal remained in the Washington, D.C. area. She returned to teaching at St. Michael's School, instilling a love of speech and debate into many of her 7th grade students. Cal passed away on October 15, 1977 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
In the years that most would enjoy retirement, Virginia returned to college to finish her master's degree that she never quite finished due to WWII. Virginia returned to Fort Wayne in the fall of 1998 and now resides at St. Anne's located less then a mile from her childhood home. Virginia and Cal have three children: David and Susan, Robert and Sherry, and Marie, along with six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
