Virginia D. “Gini” Barron, 71, of Kittery, died on May 31 at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital after a long and determined fight against pulmonary fibrosis.
Born in Skowhegan on Jan. 23, 1943, she was the daughter of Judge George M. and Bernadyne (Powers) Davis. During her childhood, Gini attended Skowhegan schools and spent summers at the family cottage on Lake Wesserunsett in Madison. Later, she enrolled in the Maine Medical Center Nursing School program, from which she earned her degree in 1965. She worked as a Registered Nurse at Maine Medical Center until 1966, the same year she married and briefly relocated to Mississippi.
Gini returned to Maine and continued building her career at Kennebec Valley Medical Center and the Osteopathic Hospital in Waterville, all while raising two children on her own. Before retirement in 1993, Gini excelled in her roles as a charge nurse of a medical/surgical unit, emergency room nurse, and director of employee development.
In subsequent years, she and her second husband, the late Dr. Richard Barron, enjoyed traveling and eventually split their time between homes in Bradenton, Fla. and the Kittery area, constantly accompanied by their beloved miniature schnauzers.
A woman of strong faith, Gini was always active in her local church, where she was the past president and member of the Door Keepers, a choir member, and a welcoming liaison. She also found joy in playing the piano, volunteering at the Footprints food pantry, having lunch with her friends, shopping, and spending as much time as possible with her loving family and recently rescued dog, Dudley.
Gini is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and David O’Brien of Kittery; son, Thomas Blackett of Kittery; step-daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Dr. Michael MacDonald of Damariscotta; grandchildren, Lindsay, Brady and Sierra O’Brien of Kittery, and Gabe, Zoe and Elli Hunt of Damariscotta; brother and sister-in-law, George and Lauralee Davis of Waterville; step-daughter Cathy Feller and family of Grand Junction, Col.; and step-son, Dean Barron and family of Auburn.
Visiting hours will be held from 6-8 p.m., Thurs., June 5 at the J.S. Pelkey Funeral Home, 125 Old Post Rd., Kittery. A funeral will take place at the same location at 11 a.m., Fri., June 6, followed by refreshments at her church, Second Christian Congregational Church on Government Street in Kittery. Graveside committal services will be conducted at noon, Sat., June 7 in the Southside Cemetery in Skowhegan.
In appreciation of loving care received, and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to York Hospital Living Well Center, 16 Hospital Dr., York, ME 03909, or Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Development Office/Lung Transplant Fund, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA 02115.
Care for the Barron family is entrusted to the JS Pelkey Funeral Home.