Virginia “Gin” R. Craddock, 91, of Methuen, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2017 at the Wingate at Andover Skilled Nursing Facility in Andover, MA.
Gin was born on October 6, 1925 to Ralph and Elizabeth (Rausch) Haynes in Lawrence, MA. Raised in Methuen, she graduated with the Class of 1944 from Edward F. Searles High School. Believing in the value of secondary education, Gin attended the Wilfred Academy Beauty School in Boston. She worked for over 35 years until her retirement as an assembler for Western Electric. She was a lifelong member of Western Electric Pioneers where the spirit of fellowship and community was held to the highest standards in the early days of the telecommunications industry. Gin married the love of her life, Wilbur, in a simple ceremony in 1948. She was very well travelled and had visited Alaska, Hawaii, as well as the Mediterranean; and was a very dear friend to many and extensively enjoyed a very active social life. Gin enjoyed many quiet activities, but also loved going to the movies or catching the occasional rerun of the Golden Girls. Gin touched many lives and will be truly missed.
Gin is survived by her dear loving friends: Donna and Rick O'Connell of North Andover, MA, and Mary Farrell of Methuen, MA. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur Joseph Craddock, with whom she celebrated nearly four decades of marriage in 1987 and her twin sister, Viola E. Haynes who passed in July, 2014. Gin was also predeceased by her two lifelong friends Rita Stapleton and Katherine Wagland.
Visitation for Gin will be held Sunday, April 23, 2017, 2:00 – 6:00 at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street, Methuen, MA. Friends and family are cordially invited. A funeral service will be held on Monday, April 24, 2017, 11:00 AM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street, Methuen, MA with Rev. Jeremiah Peters officiating. Interment to follow at the Bellevue Cemetery, 170 May Street, Lawrence, MA. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Gin's name to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Online condolences can be given at www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is proud to serve the Craddock family.