Virginia (Ginny) Ruth Richmond of Shohola, Pa., passed from this life on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at Newton Memorial Hospital in Newton, N.J., with her daughter by her side. She was 91.
Daughter of the late Floyd and Katherine (Tubbs) Smith, she was born on July 15, 1929, in Pontiac, Michigan. Virginia married the love of her life, Ronald G. Richmond on Aug. 21, 1948. They enjoyed 61 wonderful years of marriage together until his passing in 2009.
Her love of travel led her to explore almost every state across the United States of America. She was always amazed by the vast beauty of this country. During her children’s elementary school years, in Waterford, Mich., Virginia helped to establish the school’s first library. She volunteered her time to help to select books to be purchased as well as to organize the library to provide all students there with access to quality literature.
Upon retirement, Virginia and her husband, Ron, relocated to Seven Lakes, N.C. During her years there she was able to enjoy her hobbies of art, reading, travel, volunteering, golf, and spending much treasured time with family and friends. Virginia was also a member and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Seven Lakes, N.C., as well as a sponsor for the Kiwanis Aktion Club. She and her husband also enjoyed volunteering their time reading with second graders at the West End Elementary School. As an avid reader and learner herself, Virginia donated countless hours of her time to help encourage these young readers to develop a lifelong love for reading.
Virginia’s remarkable artistic talents and true love for art was witnessed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. From the time she was a young child up until her passing, she was constantly seeking out knowledge and trying out different artistic techniques. During her lifetime, she took art classes at Michigan State University, the University of Detroit, the Cranbrook Art Institute in Birmingham, Mich., and attended numerous art workshops in Boston, New York City, and North Carolina. She was also a certified Bob Ross instructor as well as a certified William Alexander instructor. Ginny was once asked why she is involved in art, to which she replied, “It provides an opportunity for total expression of self. There’s a constant urge to improve or excel. All people need to create in some way. We, as artists, want to leave something behind too. And it’s sharing what I know with others.”
Whether it was through painting classes she led, leading classes for friends at local art groups, crafting and painting with her family and friends, extending encouragement and supportive guidance to those new to art, or donating art supplies to those in need, Ginny truly loved to share her creativity and artistic spirit and talents with all whom she met. Her love for art and learning will continue to live on in the lives of all those she helped teach and mentor throughout the years.
Virginia is survived by her beloved children, daughter Nancy and husband, Kirk Mackey, of Shohola; and son David and wife, Lynda Richmond, of Burlington, N.C. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, Melissa Troup (Benjamin), Jason Richmond (Sierra), Heather Mackey-Elliott (Robert), and Kristi Richmond (David); as well as her greatest treasures, her great-grandchildren, Miranda, Haley, Ava, Brayden, and Cayden.
Memorial donations may be made to the Pike County Public Library, 119 East Harford St., Milford, PA 18337 (pikecountypubliclibrary.com).
Arrangements were made by Stroyan Funeral Home, Milford, Pa. A private service will be held by the family at a later date.