Gary woman loved nursing career

Virginia Bush was a kind and nurturing woman, whether in her career as a nurse or by praying for friends and family, daughter Susan Bush said.

"She was dedicated to her patients and she enjoyed her work as a nurse," she said. "Everyone loved her. She was a kind person, a good friend and a wonderful mother and grandmother."

Virginia Bush, 88, of Gary and Wanatah, died Dec. 24. She had been a nurse with Methodist Hospitals for more than 30 years.

She was preceded in death by Jim Bush, her husband of 58 years, in 2007.

"They put their faith in God first, and they had a strong love for each other," Susan Bush said.

She loved going to Covenant Presbyterian Church in Hammond.

"She was a great prayer partner," her daughter said. "She believed prayer was the answer to many things. The first thing she would do for a person was pray for them."

Susan Bush said her mother loved to read and go to thrift stores to look for bargains. She also was a wonderful cook and baker, and loved making birthday cakes for her grandchildren.

She also loved going to Minnesota on fishing trips and growing flowers and vegetables in her garden.

Bush said she admired her mother's strong will and perseverance through challenges in life.

"She lived a very good life," she said. "She loved reminiscing about her childhood growing up on the farm."