SACO — Virginia L. Garrity, 83, of Saco, passed away Friday, April 10, 2015, at Southern Maine Health Care surrounded by her loving children.
She was born to Wilfard and Bertha (Hackett) Shackett on Aug. 30, 1931, in Newport, New Hampshire, and attended local schools and Towle High School, graduating in 1949.
At 16, Ginny was employed as a telephone operator after school and later worked at Kelly’s Drug store, where she met her husband of 55 years, William.
They were married in 1955, and moved to Hudson, Massachusetts, where they lived for 14 years.
While in Massachusetts, Ginny was a loving homemaker for her husband and four children, as well as being a member of the Marlborough, Massachusetts chapter of the Sweet Adelines singing group.
In 1970, the family moved to Saco, and Ginny worked for Corning Components in Biddeford for 15 years, retiring in 1986.
Ginny was an accomplished seamstress who loved to create art dolls, and as a member of the Uncommon Threads art group, entered award-winning dolls in the Acton and Fryberg fairs.
Ginny had a passion for collecting art glass, music boxes and recipes. She enjoyed gardening of all types, especially wild flowers.
She is preceded in death by: her husband, William N. Garrity in 2010; a brother, William; and sister, Winifred Shackett.
She is survived by: sons, Michael F. Garrity and his wife Kathryn of Saco, Anthony J. Garrity and his wife Nicole of West Newfield, and Terrence D. Garrity of Waterboro; and daughter, Katherine G. Corriveau and her husband Joseph of Saco.
She will be sadly missed by: brothers Robert, David, and Peter Shackett; 10 grandchildren, Jenna, Trista, Jackie, Patrick, James, Megan, David, Benjamin, Samuel, and Catalina; two great-grandchildren, Cameron and Paige; several nieces and nephews; and great friends, Sue and Robert Murphy.
A Celebration of Life will be from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14 at Cote Funeral Home, 87 James St., Saco.
Arrangements are by Cote Funeral Home. To sign the guestbook or leave condolences, go to www.cotefuneralhome.com.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less