* Virginia F. Pierce; Loan Officer

Virginia (Jenny) F. Pierce, who worked as a loan officer for American Commercial Bank and was a volunteer for various community service groups, died Saturday after a brief battle with cancer. She was 61.

Pierce, a native of Browerville, Minn., moved to Ventura 31 years ago. She began working as a teller in the mid-1970s for a branch office of Bank of California that was bought by American Commercial Bank in 1977.

She eventually was promoted to loan officer at the bank’s branch on Telephone and Hill roads.

“She was a very dedicated employee,” said Harry Maynard, president and chief executive officer of American Commercial Bank. Her customers “all loved her.”

Pierce served as her branch’s representative to United Way of Ventura County, soliciting donations from fellow employees to the charity.

She also did volunteer work for the Ventura Youth Employment Service and the local Boys & Girls Club, Maynard said.

When she was not working or volunteering, Pierce loved participating in sports and spending time outdoors, her friends and family said.

She served as captain of her bank’s bowling team and enjoyed golfing and gardening. She also played bridge regularly.

“She was a very active person,” Maynard said.

Pierce is survived by three daughters, two grandchildren, four sisters and two brothers.

Vigil services will be held at 7 tonight at Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Chapel, 757 E. Main St., Ventura. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Ventura.

Information on Ventura County deaths is provided by cooperating mortuaries.