Virginia
(“Ginnie”) Irvine unexpectedly passed away on September 11, 2024,
at Saint Albans Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center while
attempting to recuperate from several recent surgeries. She was 74
years old, born in Maine on December 3, 1949, the second of three
daughters of Martha Allen Irvine and William Irvine.
Ginnie
graduated from Montpelier High School in 1968 and from the University
of Vermont in 1972 with a degree in education, where she was a member
of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. After college, she joined VISTA, serving
in Harrison, Ark., and thereafter she came back to Vermont and
commenced her teaching career at Westford Elementary School. She then
returned to school, obtained a master’s degree in special education
from Johnson State College, and then resumed her profession by
embarking on a lengthy career as a special educator for the
Colchester School District. Most recently, she assisted students in
the Burlington School District as a paraeducator.
Ginnie
loved people and the great outdoors. She particularly adored the
Rocky Mountains, spending several summers working at Yellowstone
National Park. She was constantly amused by the sound of clicking
cameras when Old Faithful erupted. Another summer she joined Outward
Bound, where she learned the value of teamwork and trust.
Her
hobbies included card making and cooking, including her remarkable
shortbread, while her famous mac and cheese earned a first-place
ribbon at the Champlain Valley Fair. Every Easter, Ginnie sponsored
an over-the-top brunch complete with the appearance of the Easter
bunny, an egg hunt and, of course, her famous “Dog Team” sticky
buns. We fondly recall Gin’s inquisitive nature, her opinions,
obstinance, love of the music of Bob Dylan, and generosity.
Ginnie
is survived by her sister Margaret and brother-in-law Lewie Sussman,
niece Jessica Langer and husband Joshua Langer, great-nephew Noah
Langer, great-niece Anna Langer, great-niece Avery Ducharme and
Avery’s mother, Laura Ducharme. Ginnie was predeceased by her mom
and dad, her sister Elizabeth Irvine and nephew Chuck Sussman.
A
celebration of Gin’s life shall occur later this year, with the
date and location to be announced.
In
lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Humane Society of Chittenden County in honor of Gin’s love of canine critters.
Finally,
we are grateful for the care provided to Gin by Saint Albans Health &
Rehab, and the compassionate assistance rendered to the family by
Stephen C. Gregory and Son Cremation Service.
This article appears in Sep 11-17, 2024.
Expressing heartfelt sympathy to Ginnie’s family and friends. I had the pleasure of working with Ginnie at Colchester Middle School. She was a most dedicated teacher and always was there for those students needing an extra dose of care and support. Her generosity was endless and she was one who surprised the adults at CMS with her baked goodies served with a bright smile. Such a loss when this world is so in need of Ginnie’s spirit and love.
May she rest in peace.
Thirty-four years ago, having recently arrived in Vermont with my baby daughter and her mom, having no job and knowing not a single person here, I began subbing at various area schools. Colchester Middle School called me the most, and I often found myself working with Virginia “Ginnie” Irvine’s special needs students. When Ginnie’s instructional assistant found employment elsewhere that November, she encouraged me to apply for the job, and then lobbied the principal to hire me.
That winter, Ginnie noticed that I’d lost some weight and that my lunches from home, because we were watching every penny, were often skimpy. Ginny then proceeded, out of her own pocket, to buy my school cafeteria lunches, the same as the kids ate, every day for the rest of that year.
That summer I was hired at Essex Junction (now Essex) High School to teach Social Studies, and finished my teaching career there in 2020.
Rest In Peace, Ginnie. Your kindness and generosity is remembered and still greatly appreciated.
Brian Walsh