Our beloved mother, grandmother, and sister Virginia Olivarez passed away peacefully in her home, to be with her Lord and Savior, on Oct. 13th, 2024. She was surrounded by many loved ones.

Virginia was born in La Feria, TX on March 1st, 1942, to Quirino and Fransisca Cantu. Although she was the fifth born, she was the second eldest surviving child. As the oldest daughter she assisted her parents by helping to care for her eleven siblings that came after her.

While her parents worked hard to provide for their large family, they would migrate from Texas to other states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Washington State. Due to the consistent traveling and responsibility of caring for her siblings, Virginia stopped attending school at 5th grade.

At the age of 21, she met the love of her life, Jose H. Olivarez Sr. They were soon married and started their family. In 1966, they decided to move from Texas and settle in Washington state, along with Virginia's parents and siblings.

Several years later, in 1973, Virginia began to build her life as a single mother of four. She gained the courage to go back to school and earned her GED. Within three years, Virginia obtained her associate degree in Mid-Management. This was one of her biggest accomplishments and spoke of it in her last days. As a shy and timid Spanish speaker, Virginia mastered the English language and was able to overcome her fear of public speaking. Upon this achievement, Virginia went on to advocate on behalf of migrant workers as a non-profit director. Throughout the years, Virginia enjoyed hosting foreign exchange students until 2012. Her passion to serve the community continued until retirement.

Along the way, Virginia accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior. It was then, that it became her personal mission to share her testimony with as many people as she could. She lived her life demonstrating the love of Christ to all those around her and would eventually become an ordained minister. She spent many years involved with women's jail ministry, amongst many other church related groups and activities. Virginia was the first of her family to become a born-again Christian, which is a legacy that is being carried on by many, even to this day.

Virginia dedicated her life to God by fulfilling her purpose and starting the "Bride of Christ" ministry. Taking this step of faith allowed her to serve the needs of recovering, battered, divorced, widowed, and single women, while also honoring the Lord. As a hero to many, her strong and resilient personality will never be forgotten.

Virginia is proceeded in death by Fransisca Cantu (mother), Elijio Cantu (brother), Quirion Cantu (father), Ray Cantu (brother), Raul Cantu (brother), Maria Cantu (sister), Maricela Cantu (sister), and Carmen Cantu (sister).

She is survived by her children Corina (Thomas) Taylor of Sedro-Woolley, WA, Joe Olivarez Jr. of Seguin, TX, Jaime (Tami) Olivarez of Bellingham, WA, and Carmen Olivarez (Edward Christiansen) of Mt. Vernon, WA, along with seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Her siblings Baldo (Lela) Cantu of Weslaco, TX, Ernesto (Cecilia) Cantu of Miami, FL, Guadalupe Acosta of San Antonio, TX, Natalia (Joe) Aguilar of Edmonds, WA, Rolando (Patty) Cantu of Sedro-Woolley, WA, George Cantu of Burlington, WA, Susie (Joe) Manrique of Mt. Vernon, WA, Juanita (Charles) Torres of Livingston, TX, and Mary (Abel) Gomez of San Antonio, TX.