Virginia Marthens Watkins, 98, of Champaign died at 8:25 p.m. Monday, November 22, 2010, at Heartland Healthcare Center, Champaign.

Memorial services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, November 27, 2010, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, Urbana; the Rev. Axel Gehrmann officiating. Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Watkins was born on March 7, 1912, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of William S. and Miriam Schafer Marthens. She married John E. Watkins, who is deceased.

Survivors include two daughters: Jane W. Loeb of Urbana and Catherine Watkins of Champaign, nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two daughters: Judith W. Smith and Sara W. Shirley-Quirk, two sisters: Rosamond Jones and Miriam Naegele and one granddaughter: Emily Shirley-Quirk.

Her innate curiosity led her to read widely and deeply, to develop her capacity as a pianist, and to enjoy growing and cooking all things edible.

Mrs. Watkins was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church, Urbana.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Nation magazine: www.thenation.com.

Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.