BEVERLY: M. Virginia “Ginny” Walsh, 99, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 26, 2015, at the home of her son, in Beverly Farms.
Born in Stoneham on March 16, 1916, she was the daughter of the late Joseph E. and Helen A. (Toomey) Sweet. Raised and educated in Beverly, MA, she graduated from Beverly High School, Class of 1934. She initially worked at the First National Bank of Boston and then enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps where she served her country proudly as a Radiologic Technician and was Honorably Discharged. Following her discharge, Ginny was employed as a radiologic technician at Children’s Hospital in Boston and resided on Beacon Hill. She subsequently returned to Beverly, living in North Beverly and then the Cove. She was employed for many years as a mortgage supervisor at the Lynn Five Cents Savings Bank until the time of her retirement.
While living in the Cove, she provided loving care to her mother and father, and upon their passing, moved to Turtle Creek Apartments where she resided for over 25 years, made many friends, and actively participated in many of the resident activities.
Virginia was also very active in the Greater Beverly community. She was a long time member of the Lothrop Club of Beverly, a supporter of the Girdler House, the Wednesday Morning Group, and active at the Beverly Senior Center where she participated in activities and also volunteered her time. In 2008, Virginia was nominated and selected as the Beverly Council of Aging’s Senior of the Year for her countless hours of community volunteer work. She took great pride in her volunteer work at Beverly Hospital where she donated more than 7000 hours of service. For this service and in conjunction with the Presidential Points of Light Foundation established by President George H. W. Bush, she was awarded a Presidential Volunteer Achievement Award. In addition she contributed over 1000 hours to the local Visiting Nurse Association.
Virginia was very much a strong, thoughtful and independent woman. She loved reading, traveling and especially day trips to many surrounding areas with her friends. She was always ready for a lunch or outing with the ladies and loved her bowling which she did well into her 80’s. Perhaps her most favorite pastime were endless days at West Beach with family or friends no matter what the season. She would also frequent Hospital Point in Beverly where the ocean and a good book gave her great pleasure.
A loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Virginia looked forward to and was always present for the many family gatherings where she was “Nammy” to all.
She is survived by her son, J. Russell Walsh and his wife Ellen of Beverly Farms, her grandchildren Alison Despathy and husband Michael, Andrea Reyna, Megan Walsh and partner Skye Nacel, and Maureen Ondek and husband David. She also leaves nine great grandchildren; a sister Nancy Connolly of Haverhill, MA and brother J. Edward (Ned) Sweet, Jr. and his wife Maureen of Oakton, VA. She was predeceased by a sister Ruth Leighton. She also leaves many nieces and nephews and her loving and amazingly supportive Splaine and Mollet families. She will be missed immensely by her son and all of her immediate and extended family and friends.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, July10, 2015 in Saint Margaret’s Church, 672 Hale Street, Beverly Farms, MA. at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Visitation will also be held at the church just prior to the Mass and beginning at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in her memory to “Harborlight Community Partners—Turtle Creek Resident Fund”, P. O. Box 507, Beverly, MA 01915.