Virginia Parrish Kleinstiver, 82, of East Boothbay, passed away Feb. 16 at her home.
Born March 19, 1925, in Petoskey, Mich., and raised in Port Huron, Mich., she was the daughter of George W. and Marval Parrish.
Following graduation from Port Huron High School, Va., she attended St. Clair County Community College, and then the University of Michigan, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and history.
After she graduated from college, she was employed by the Port Huron Times Herald, where she worked first in the advertising department, later as a reporter and then editor of the Society section.
She married Louis Vance Kleinstiver on Dec. 24, 1951, and spent her early married life as a homemaker and mother of three in Chicago, Ill. and St. Clair Shores, Mich. In 1968, she went with her family back to Port Huron, Mich. and shortly thereafter returned to school to obtain her teaching certification. Virginia was a talented and respected teacher, and throughout her career, in both public and private schools, taught a variety of subjects (English and art being her favorites) to all age groups before retiring in 1990.
Virginia fell in love with Maine in 1974 and returned to vacation nearly every year until relocating to Ocean Point in 1997.
Throughout her life, she enjoyed many interests, including golf, bridge, cooking, and, most recently, maj jong. Virginia’s strong optimism and creative side were expressed in many ways: in her joyful watercolor paintings and cards, in her flair for cooking and decorating, in her warm and ever-present smile, and in her style in dress, particularly her many hats, painted canes and brightly colored outfits. In later years, Virginia developed a passion for sports, including University of Michigan and New England Patriots football and, most notably, professional basketball.
Virginia was an avid reader, and one of her greatest joys in Maine was the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, for which she was a devoted volunteer most Saturdays. She was loved, admired and respected by her family and many friends. She will be greatly missed.
She was predeceased by her husband in 1995, and elder son, Louis Vance Kleinstiver Jr., in 2004.
She is survived by son, Jeffrey O. Kleinstiver of Pensacola, Fla.; daughter, Jaimie K. Logan and husband, William of Boothbay Harbor; daughter-in-law, Julie Kleinstiver and grandson, Christopher Kleinstiver, both of Port Huron, Mich.
Celebration of Virginia’s life will be held in late spring or early summer.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, 4 Oak St., Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.
Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Boothbay.
