Virginia G. McKinnon
...of Tewksbury, Author and Writer; 92
TEWKSBURY - Virginia G. (Watson) McKinnon, age 92, died Friday morning, December 16, at her Tewksbury home, following a long period of declining health, with her loving family by her side.
She was born Virginia Gertrude Watson in Dedham, Massachusetts on December 1, 1919, the second child of James and Gertrude Mary (Benton)Watson, and was the loving wife for sixty-three years of the late John R. McKinnon, who died in October 2002. Her brothers are the late Robert James Watson; Theodore Watson and John "Butch" Watson who live in Reading, MA; Edward Watson of Palm Bay, FL; William Watson of Ringgold, GA; and sister Barbara Burbine of Falmouth, MA.
Her children are Edward J. McKinnon and his wife Virginia (Eagleson), of Acton, CA.; William A. McKinnon of Antrim, NH. and his fiancée Mary Loosen of Tewksbury, MA.; Patricia A. Shepard and her husband Stephen Shepard, of Tewksbury, with whom she had resided for the past several years; and Charles H. McKinnon and his wife Marylou (Sieczkowski) of Derry, NH; a daughter-in-law, Pamela (Johnson)(McKinnon) Weir of Chelmsford, MA who was the wife of John R. McKinnon Jr. who died in 1969. Virginia had 19 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
In 1938 she graduated Valedictorian from Reading High School and in 1940, Malden School of Business. She worked for the Reading Cooperative Bank and Lappin Plumbing Co., but most delighted in her role of wife and mother, exploring all the home arts. Among her interests was writing, and she was a member of the John Lester Greene Writers for more than thirty-three years. Her collection of writings include many articles and five books, including “Sissy”, “Taiwan Adventure”, and one book of poetry. She loved flowers and her web site teaches the use of them in pressed form and makes Email contact with flower people worldwide.
The legacy she wished to leave her children is one of love of family and the unity so gained that promotes peace in the world.
Her Funeral Mass was celebrated Tuesday, Dec. 20, in St. William's Church, Tewksbury. Burial followed at Tewksbury Cemetery. Memorials to the Alzheimers Association of MA, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472 will be appreciated.