AUBURN – Virginia F. Eretzian, 88, formerly of 13 Sherman Ave., Auburn, died Tuesday, Aug. 5, at the Odd Fellows Nursing Home, where she resided for the past two months.

She was born in Portland, Feb. 7, 1920, a daughter of Harry and Jenny Merle Leach White. She graduated from Edward Little High School, Class of 1938.

She was a member of the Auburn Methodist Church and was married to Toras Minas Eretzian, who died May 6, 2001.

The love of her life and the thing that brought her the most joy and fulfillment was always her family. Her most important priority was never a hobby, a profession, a career nor any of the other accomplishments that are so often held in such esteem in our society today.

Her most valued priority and accomplishment was always her role as a wife and mother. Her ability, effort and devotion to this role earned for her the esteem and devotion of her husband, children, grandchildren and the entire family. She was cherished by all of them and will serve as a model for them all in their roles as spouses and parents for the rest of their lives.

She is survived by her daughter, Sandra G. Shapley and her husband, Stan, of Eliot; her son, David T. Eretzian and his wife, Barbara, of Turner; four grandchildren, Kimberly Smirles of Boston, Mass., David Smirles of Chelsea, Mass., Tara Eretzian of Minot and Karly Eretzian of Auburn; her sister, Frances White of Auburn; and a brother, Kenneth White of Oxford.

She was predeceased by her husband, Toras Eretzian; and her sister, Dawn Rowe of Mechanic Falls.

The family thanks the wonderful staffs at Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice and the Odd Fellows Home of Auburn for the love and caring they provided.