| Mental Health America Bell of Hope Memorial |
In Loving Memory of
Virginia “Ginny� Wight Hedges Aldendifer July 29, 1922– February 11, 2010 resident of Wichita, Kansas, died Thursday at the age of 87. Virginia was the second of four children born to the late Bert and Edith Hedges of Wichita, Kansas, where she grew up and was a valedictorian graduate of Wichita East High School. She then went on to be an honor student at Illinois University and a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, graduating with a degree in business. While attending Illinois University, Virginia met and married Joseph Aldendifer, a decorated WWII Army pilot with whom she had two sons. They later divorced and she continued to raise her sons in Wichita where she remained a lifelong resident. Virginia worked as a transcriber at the Wichita Medical Clinic until she retired at the age of 65. She was an active member of the Plymouth Congregationalist Church, Chaplain for the American Legion, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and a volunteer voting official over a period of several decades. Among her many interests and talents, Virginia was a published poet and loved playing the piano. She remained active in Wichita’s Kappa Alpha Theta alumni chapter throughout the rest of her life. She is survived by her sister Elaine Book; sons, Joseph R. Aldendifer (California) and James E. Aldendifer (Indiana); grandchildren, Christina Aldendifer(Tennessee), Tom Aldendifer (Illinois), Anthony Aldendifer (Indiana); and great grandchild, [Isabella Aldendifer (Tennessee). Virginia had a good life. Virginia was a victim of undiagnosed schizophrenia. Though she heard voices and had odd behavior she had a family and many caring friends in life. In her passing those she touched were unaware of her condition and knew her as a sweet uncomplaining person with a mild oddity that was somewhat endearing. There is chance when her illness was at its worst when she was in her early twenties before real advancement in understanding schizophrenia; she might have been institutionalized and never known the simple pleasure of life’s freedom and contributing to society as her obituary testifies to. Yes it is possible to have a mental illness and a good life.
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