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A woman who loved Tyrone is being remembered for her commitment to the community and for her reporting and photography skills.
Virginia "Virgie" Grace Werner died Thursday. She was 91.
"She was friends with everybody -- Virgie made Tyrone better with her presence," said Sue Griep, a member of the Tyrone community. "We will miss her kind, gentle soul, her welcoming spirit and her good heart," she said.
Werner was the first woman to sit on the Tyrone Borough Council and served for many years as president of the Tyrone Hospital Auxiliary.
"Once she became a council member, more women became involved," Griep said.
Tyrone Mayor Bill Latchford, who served with Werner on council for many years, said she did a great deal for the borough and community.
"Her commitment to the public was immeasurable," he said. Her death "is a big loss for the community, and she will be greatly missed."
Werner was a member of the Tyrone Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club and Tyrone Monogram Club and she volunteered at the Tyrone Senior Center and often helped out with the Steinbeiser Hoedowns.
She was the recipient of the Hometown Hero award and many other honors and awards for her contributions to the community.
"She was a lovely lady who really cared about Tyrone," Griep said. "We are proud of the energy she put into the community."
A member of Christ United Methodist Church, Werner served in various positions in the church and organized the church's military recognition events.
She was also a lifelong photographer and reporter, having worked for the Altoona Mirror and The Daily Herald.
Sam Hayes, former state representative and secretary of agriculture, said Werner was a true member of the Tyrone community. She was "Mrs. Tyrone."
"If there was something good happening in the community, she would be there volunteering," he said.
Hayes said Werner always had her camera, looking for good stories.
"I can hardly remember a time when she didn't have her camera," he said.
Werner, Hayes said, told stories that should be told.
"She was a writer with a good voice," he said.
Her son, Curtis Werner of Dillsburg, said she was different than the average mother.
When she had the opportunity to attend church with former President Jimmy Carter in Warriors Mark, she kept it a secret.
"Jimmy Carter was fishing in Spruce Creek, and one day she got a call asking if she would like to go to church with him, but she couldn't tell anyone," Curtis said.
He said his mother also had a sit-down interview with Bette Davis.
"She had a daughter who went to Grier School, and I believe that's how she was able to get that," Curtis said.
He said some of the highlights from his mother's days as a reporter include covering the kidnapping of Peggy Ann Bradnick near Shade Gap and the disappearance of Kathy Shea in 1965.
Curtis said his mother was very kind and giving.
"She didn't have a mean bone in her body," he said.
Recalling a time when she opened her home to strangers stranded during a snowstorm, her son said "she would give the shirt off her back for people."
Friends and family will be received from noon until the 2 p.m. memorial service Sunday, Sept. 3, at Christ United Methodist Church, with Pastor Todd Templeton officiating.
Mirror Staff Writer Cati Keith is at 814-946-7535.