On a beautiful sunny April morning, Virginia Kennedy, 97, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at her family home of 77 years.
Ginny, “Nanny” to many, was born on June 19, 1926 and died on April 21, 2024. She was the second of six children born to George and Gladys Hahn, of Waldoboro.
She graduated from Waldoboro High School alongside her later-to-be husband, Arthur Kennedy. While in high school, she was an usherette at The Waldo Theatre and after graduation she traveled to Boothbay Harbor with her father to work as a bookkeeper at Sample’s Shipyard.
After Arthur’s return from serving in the Navy during WWII, he and Virginia married in 1946. A year later, they bought their home on Union Road where she lived for the rest of her life and where she and Arthur raised their two daughters.
Nanny’s passion in life was family, whether it be a boat ride with her children and grandchildren on Muscongus Bay, a visit to Bremen Long Island to reminisce about her childhood, trips to California to see her grandson at college, or preparation of a delicious Thanksgiving meal for everyone.
Second only to her family was her love of pets. Ginny, Arthur, and the girls had many beloved pets throughout the years … dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, parakeets, and even ducks. Her life was not complete unless she had a pet dog or cat. Even her grand-dogs meant the world to her.
She served as a librarian at Waldoboro Public Library for several years and was an avid reader until her vision failed and she relied on audiobooks. Her favorite part of working in the library was story hour for the children. Later in life, she also enjoyed working at Shelley’s Flowers.
Ginny was well known as an exceptional cook. At Christmas time, many friends and family looked forward to her delicious candies, fudge, and cookies. Cream puffs, Needhams, peanut butter fudge, and chocolate cake were in high demand. She took great pleasure in preparing her holiday meals.
Ginny’s life experiences extended beyond Waldoboro. She and Arthur enjoyed meeting new people and the camaraderie of bus tours to Canada and Eastern New England. She also traveled with her siblings to many places … Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Quebec City, to name a few.
She was predeceased by her parents; and her husband, Arthur; as well as her siblings, Lottie Richards, Wendell Hahn, Helen Hallowell, and Robert Hahn. She is survived by her daughters, Jane Swett and her husband, Greg, of Bangor, and Mary Storer and her husband, Alfred, of Waldoboro; four grandchildren, Ian Swett, Rachel Starr and husband, David Jr., Levitt Storer and wife, Danica, and Jonathan Storer; seven great-grandchildren, Landon, Owen, and Charlotte Starr, Isla and Iris Virginia Swett, and Eleanor and Davis Storer. She is also survived by sister, Joanne Miller; and special cousin, Elsie Eugley; and many loving nieces and nephews.
We are especially grateful for her loyal and loving caregivers who allowed her to stay in her own home until her death.
At Ginny’s request there will be no funeral service. There will be a graveside burial for immediate family this summer.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Ginny’s memory to Pope Memorial Humane Society, 25 Buttermilk Lane, Thomaston, ME 04861.
