Myra Virginia House (Jennie), 89, peacefully passed on April 20, 2017. Born in Kinston, NC, Jennie attended WC-UNC, obtaining a BS in Nursing and was a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honorary Society. She later worked at Duke Hospital in Durham, NC, and was active in various clubs doing volunteer work in many churches and civic organizations.
Jennie moved to the Tidewater area in 1968. Once her children were in college, she went back to nursing at DePaul Hospital as an Operating Room In-service Instructor for the next 20 years. Jennie also acted as an OR Supervisor at Portsmouth General Hospital before its closing. Jennie was a Life Master in Bridge thru the ACBL, and loved to play bridge and Mah-Jongg with all her many friends. In 1979, Jennie brought the National Bridge Tour to Norfolk, VA. She loved flowers and gardening as a member of the Elizabeth River Garden Club, was a former golfer and active member of Cedar Point Country Club. In 1988, Jennie opened "Jems from Jennie" as a well-known Churchland storefront after selling jewelry from home and antique shows since the 1982 death of her husband. She was preceded in death by her husband, G.R. "Bob" House, former City Manager of the local cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk and Portsmouth.
Jennie is survived by her daughter, Bettye House, her son and his spouse, Robert and Donna House and her loving companion for over 30 years, Robert "Bobby" Jones. Jennie will be missed by family and her many, many friends.
Viewing will be held on Monday, April 24, 2017 at Baker-Foster Funeral Home, 5685 Lee Farm Lane, Suffolk, VA from 7:00 – 8:00 PM, with a memorial service being held at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Portsmouth Humane Society, 4022 Seaboard Ct., Portsmouth, VA 23701 or the Duke School of Nursing in Durham, NC, at www.gifts.duke.edu/nursing.