Virginia Rita (Sawyer) Jackson, 98, of Waldoboro, died peacefully in her sleep on April 15 at her home with her family at her side. She was born on July 22, 1916 in Marlboro, Mass., daughter of Ernest Z. and Oretta G. (Marchand) Sawyer.
“Gin” grew up in Northborough, Mass., graduated from Northborough High School, worked with her father in the shoe factory and in his shoe-repair shop and his barber shop at various times. She was a second mother to “my babies,” little sister Betty and little brother Ernie. Gin learned to play the violin, being taught by her beloved grandfather, and enjoyed swimming in Solomon Pond with her siblings and friends, golfing, and bowling at the family bowling alley where she met her husband, Donald P. Jackson.
Gin married Donald on Nov. 20, 1941. They owned a farm in Shrewsbury, Mass. where they started their family, moving to Maine in 1955, and settling at the farm in North Waldoboro. She was well known in the area for her cooking (especially pies), her “championship” prowess (she won again!) at family and neighborhood Scrabble games right into her 90s, her willingness to help others, and her welcoming her kids and grandkids and their friends at the farm.
Gin hosted many a summer cookout and the July 4th lobster bakes at “the pond” were a family and friends tradition for many years.
She was also dedicated to her second family at the Waldoboro Button Factory, where she worked as secretary for 30-plus years, retiring at the age of 75. After retiring, she and Don golfed and traveled to many places in the U.S. and once to Scotland. She and Don were also long time members of the Farm Bureau, Maine Blueberry Association as well as the Medomak Valley Land Trust. Gin continued to play golf into her late 80s and enjoyed watching it on television when not playing.
Virginia was predeceased by her parents; her husband; daughter, Elizabeth Lorusso; sisters, Corinne, Phyllis, and Elizabeth; and great-grandson, Shane Drew.
Survivors are son, Douglas (Barbara) Jackson of Florida; daughters, Donna Jackson of Arizona, Virginia (B. Thomas) Hodgkins of Jefferson, Barbara (Dewain) Wallace of Scarborough, and Jude (Frank) Hatten of Indiana; grandsons, Andrew(Catherine) Hodgkins of Japan, Terry (Libby) Mank of Florida, Matthew Jackson of South Portland, and Patrick (Tess) Hodgkins of Louisiana; granddaughters, Joni Wells and Kristi (Rev. Ray) Hedgpath, all of Prospect, Karen (David) Drew, and Denise (Shawn LaRoche) Daniel, all of New Hampshire, Arianne (Charles) Frater of Florida, Alyssa Jackson of Indiana, Debra (Michael) Dean of Waldoboro, Sianne (Matthew) Gendron of Durham, Lorielle (Robert) Barter of Waldoboro, and Aimee Bermudez and fiancé Charlie Ely of Pownall; 12 great-grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren; brother, Ernest Sawyer and sister-in-law Evelyn Sawyer of Northborough, Mass.; sister-in-law, Nancy Overton of Jefferson; and 21 nieces and nephews. She was loved and will be missed by all.
She is also survived by her special caregivers, Beverly Jewett, Gloria Luce, and Gwen Galucki.
At Virginia’s request, there will be no funeral. Private family gatherings of remembrance and celebration of her life will be held this summer.
To honor her long life in the community, Ginny Hodgkins invited friends, and family to gather from 2-4 p.m., Sat., May 16 at the Orff’s Corner Community Church in Waldoboro for a celebration of Virginia’s life, followed by refreshments and fellowship.
If you wish to do so, please contribute to the Salvation Army, your local hospice organization, or a charity of your choice in her memory.
To share an online condolence, light a candle for Virginia, share a story or photo, please visit her Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com
Hall’s of Waldoboro is caring for the family.
