Virginia Hebel Perl

Perl, Virginia Hebel "I've come to wonder about my life in ways I've always forbid myself to do. I would not have been sent on a journey so amazing, sometimes so frightening, sometimes so beautiful, unless the intention was to share it. This is a story of lessons learned and choices I made. Survival was a big denominator in my decision-making, but, so too, was a longing, a dream I'd had as a child; a dream that grew within me. This is the story of my journey and my attempt to finally face the parts I played in it." - Virginia Hebel Perl (3/11/1941 12/19/2016) Virginia's story goes from a tarpaper-roofed basement house on a farm in Minnesota, to a two-year relationship with one of the Everly Brothers when she was sixteen, to leaving the farm at seventeen to become a TV model in New York, then meeting her husband, who lavished her with emeralds, sable coats, limousines, private jets, and six live-in servants. She had it all, but she also lost it all during the Iranian revolution as she watched her husband's business do an abrupt about-face. Virginia left Switzerland with whatever treasures she could cram into two suitcases in 1992, a week before her husband was evicted. She flew home to the land of her roots, Minnesota, and to the safety and support of her sisters and brothers. Since 1992, she went on to receive her Bachelors of Fine Arts from the University of Minnesota which lead to a successful career in the arts. She spent six years in California working with her daughter and son-in-law in real estate. She enjoyed the last eight years fulfilling her life-long dream to write her memoirs and share her story. All along, no matter where she was or what she was doing, being Grandma always came first. She would drop everything to be present for her loved ones from coast to coast. Virginia approached her full and interesting life with courage, strength and moxie. She had a bright smile, a big heart, and an infectious laugh. She worked tirelessly to ensure people she loved knew they were loved. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Helen Hebel, as well as her brothers-in-law, Robert Lindgren and Richard Parker. She is survived by her three children, Saraya (Simon) Motley, Davina Beacham, and David (Amy) Perl, seven grandchildren (Max & Cole Motley, Brad & George Beacham, and Sarah, Emily & Katie Perl), five siblings, Shirley Lindgren, Mary (Don) Jenkins, Phyllis Parker, Bruce Hebel, and Lynn Hebel, and a whole slew of nieces and nephews who loved their 'Auntie Gin'. Services followed by reception will be held at the Thomson-Dougherty Funeral Home 2535 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN on Saturday, December 31, at 1:00PM. Historic Thomson-Dougherty 612-871-4407

Published on December 25, 2016