102-year-old LANL volunteer continues to make a difference

Virginia Stovall: Vecinos' most "seasoned" volunteer at 102 continues to help others

On June 28, Los Alamos National Security, LLC and Los Alamos National Laboratory will honor outstanding LANL employee and retiree Vecinos Volunteer Program volunteers. Volunteers who logged more than 100 hours of service last year will receive recognition, and a monetary donation will be made to the nonprofit organization they serve. The Top Five Employee and Retiree Volunteers of the Year will receive additional recognition from the LANL Director’s Office.

In the outstanding retiree category, one of most “seasoned” volunteers, Virginia Stovall, will be honored for volunteering 1,470 hours last year. Virginia will also be celebrating her 103^rd birthday in September!

Virginia came to Los Alamos in 1947 and quickly became an active volunteer in Northern New Mexico. She helped the John Hyson School in Chimayo and the Truchas Day Care Center by collecting mittens, hats, toys, and art supplies for their students. Children who grew up in Virginia’s Los Alamos neighborhood also have happy memories of stopping by her house to listen to her read stories. 

Virginia worked at LANL for 20 years as a computer programmer, and after retiring she joined the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). In 2006, in honor of her many accomplishments in the community, Virginia was selected as a Living Treasure of Los Alamos.

Now residing at The Rosemont Assisted Living Center of Santa Fe, Virginia spends her days bringing joy to other residents by visiting them and making origami animals to brighten their rooms.  Irene Powell, RSVP Director in Los Alamos, sums it up best, “Virginia is still thinking of others at the age of 102, and her origami animals bring joy to the residents of Rosemont”.