MORRIS – Virginia, a Morris resident of 17 years, died March 16, 2024, at age 76.
Born Virginia Wilson in Newburgh, N.Y., to father LeRoy and mother Vera, she was the third of four siblings. After graduating from SUNY-New Paltz with a master’s in education, she taught elementary school in Chester, N.Y., for 10 years.
She married Denis Williamson in 1973 and moved to Suffern, N.Y. After teaching kindergarten enrichment for the Rockland County (New York) YMCA, she worked for Child Care Resources of Rockland, training child care providers. She retired and moved to Morris in 2007, where she served on the Morris Public Library board and was a member of the Litchfield United Methodist Church.
Ginny became a Girl Scout at age 8 and was a lifetime member. She became a troop leader, then a trainer of other leaders. She recruited and trained troop leaders for five elementary schools, led camping trips and excursions for the girls, and received multiple awards for her work enriching Scouting in the area.
Ginny was a longtime member of the Suffern United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. She was a member of the American Association of University Women, charter supporter of the National Women’s History Museum, and a 50-year sponsor of Save the Children, as well as a dozen other charities.
She was a voracious reader of mystery novels (and a member of the Morris Public Library Mystery Book Club), and a fan of tap dance, Godzilla movies, Power Rangers, “PAW Patrol” and Hess trucks.
She decorated her home for every holiday, from top to bottom, and always made at least 10 varieties of Christmas cookies. She enjoyed spending two weeks every summer on Cape Cod.
Her homemade jam was locally beloved back in New York, and frequently gifted to family and friends. Her children’s friends were informally ‘adopted’ into the household, and Ginny made sure their college roommates received the same Advent gifts and finals-week treats she was sending her own daughters.
She treated strangers like friends, and friends like family. She will be greatly missed by many.
Virginia is survived by her husband of 50 years, Denis Williamson; her younger sister Varina Wilson Kowalik, who called her every day for the last 15 years; her daughters Emily Williamson Boggio and Amanda Williamson Oglivie, and their husbands; and four grandchildren, ages 7, 4, 3 and 2, who will miss their “PAW Patrol” viewing buddy, “Grammy.”
She also leaves four nieces, one nephew, and several great-nieces and -nephews, who enjoyed her annual Easter gatherings.
There will be a celebration of life at a later date_
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Girl Scouts of the USA (girlscouts.org) or Litchfield United Methodist Church (litchfieldumc.org).
Please visit thurstonrowefuneralhome.com to leave an online condolence.
