I-680 Crash Victim Remembered - FOX 42: Omaha News, Sports and Weather; kptm.com |

Friends Remember Woman Killed on Interstate

Maureen Wurtz

OMAHA (KPTM)- Compassionate, energetic, and warm-that's how friends are remembering an Omaha woman who died in a car crash Tuesday.

 It is the ultimate test of faith. "Coping with the loss of Virginia is going to be difficult. I think it's going to have to be a step by step process," said Tim Peffer.

Peffer knew 57-year-old Virginia Tardy through a Catholic education program called ‘RCIA.'

Peffer said Virginia was more than just an RCIA sponsor. "Beautiful energetic person, with an infectious laugh and an unbelievable sense of humor."

Virginia was a woman with a cross around her neck and a heart-open to all. "If you knew her for five minutes, you came away knowing you had met Jesus Christ," said Fr. Mark McKercher.

Virginia's husband, Jim, is a deacon at St. Cecilia's Cathedral. Fr. McKercher was a priest at Cathedral while Virginia volunteered there.

"Virginia didn't know how to do something halfway," said Fr. McKercher.

"She was a culinary wizard-just love the kitchen, just loved to cook," said Peffer.

While her husband Jim was teaching RCIA, Virginia could be seeing working in the kitchen, making sure everything ran smoothly and everyone was taken care of, said Peffer.

"Virginia was the one who took care of the details," laughed Fr. McKercher. "Okay, we have sign up sheets here and donuts here."

"Looking at Virginia's name on a piece of paper and having her service times listed underneath them, it is like looking at your own name," said Peffer.

"She left a little bit of herself in everyone she met," said Fr. McKercher. "She was able to reach out and touch hearts in a very short period of time."

She lived a short period of time on earth, but as Fr. McKercher said, she will have a long amount of time in heaven.

Virginia's service will be at Cathedral, Monday morning at 11 AM.