Virginia Diradour

Virginia Diradour, 82, died on November 28, 2025. She was born in Richmond, VA, at the Medical College of Virginia on May 7, 1943, to the late Martin H. Diradour, Sr. and Arden Alexanian Diradour. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Dorothy Arden Diradour O'Neal and Mary Elizabeth Diradour Adams; her uncles, Hagop Alexanian, Jeff Diradour, and George Diradour.

She attended American University in Washington, D.C., from 1961-1962 and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1965. She earned a master's degree in teaching from the College of William and Mary. She began teaching sixth grade in 1965 in Hopewell Public Schools. In 1967, she started teaching a summer enrichment program at Prince George Public Schools. She later went full time at Prince George Public Schools after transferring from Hopewell High School. She taught poetry for the Historic Hopewell Foundation and for Prince George Public Schools for children interested in the arts from 1988-1998.

Virginia was published in multiple publications, including "Ideas for Teaching" in Learning Magazine; "Poetry Ideas" in the Virginia Journal of Education; and articles in the Honor Society of Teachers, The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. She wrote "Curing the Teachers Blues," "Do You Want to Teach the Gifted?", and "The Poetry Break," which were all published in the Virginia College English Bulletin. She also published "Art Ideas for Children" in Highlights magazine and worked with Teaching Homeschoolers in Hopewell, VA.

Virginia was baptized as a child at First Presbyterian Church in Hopewell and has been a member there for life. Virginia loved people and always tried to help when she saw a need. She inspired everyone she met with her enthusiasm, love of life, and creativity.

Virginia is survived by her brother, Martin H. Diradour, Jr. ("Marty"); first cousin, Helen Roland; second cousins, Jason Roland (Yasi), Dorian Barsamian (Steven), Harry Barsamian (Rachel), and George Diradour (Patty); nieces, Arden O'Neal Peterson (Rev. David), Lyn O'Neal, and Elizabeth Adams Gutzmer (Daniel); and great-nieces and great-nephews, David Peterson, Luke Peterson, Matthew Peterson, Stephen Peterson, Zach Gutzmer, and Sarah Gutzmer.

Thank you to Virginia's church for their loving care during her illness. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to her church family, First Presbyterian Church in Hopewell, VA. A memorial message will be given by Rev. David Peterson, and a celebration of life message will be given by her former student, Joanna Bryant. The service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 1107 W. Broadway Ave., Hopewell, VA 23860, on Sunday, December 7, 2025. Worship begins at 11:00 a.m., and the Celebration of Life service begins at 12:15 p.m., followed by a reception at the church.