Virginia R. Linehan

Virginia Ruth Linehan, 97, died June 8, 2017, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers.

She was born June 6, 1920, in Lynn to Gilroy F. Linehan Sr. and Mary Virginia (Briand) Linehan. She was raised on Perley Street in West Lynn and was a lifelong Lynn resident. She was a 1938 graduate of Lynn Classical High School and attended comptometer school in Boston. For 43 years she worked in the General Electric payroll department in Lynn. She met many longtime and beloved friends at the G.E. Family, friends and faith were most important to her. She attended Sacred Heart and St. Pius in her younger years and was a longtime parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Lynn. She lived her faith actively, seeking to be kind, compassionate, patient and loving. She was generous and charitable, and always aimed to remember and care for the “least of these.” She was predeceased by 10 siblings: Frances Buckley, Marie Harrington, Gilroy F. Linehan Jr., Beatrice Meryman, John F. Linehan and William B. Linehan. Four siblings died before she was born: Edward, Veronica, Agnes and Loretta. Through the stories passed down from her mother, Virginia kept their memory alive as well. Virginia was a dedicated, dutiful and loving sister and daughter. She admired her mother greatly and was able to share memories and stories of her with many generations of nieces and nephews. She was a stalwart supporter, champion and cheerleader for her brothers and sisters and was proud of all their accomplishments. Virginia will be remembered now as a beloved aunt to many, many nieces and nephews, In fact, she was even an aunt before she was born. Her love and affection spanned four generations, and she always welcomed each new addition with joy. Aunt Virginia became the matriarch of an extended and devoted family. Each niece or nephew has their own special memories of her. She was there for them at every important moment: births, deaths, marriages, baptisms, graduations and holidays. She could always be counted on to send a card for any milestone in life. She was the linchpin and anchoring branch on a large family tree that spans a continent of Linehan descendants. She kept the history and stories of the family alive, helping to keep nieces and nephews in touch with their roots. She had a quick wit and sense of humor. She had a wonderful smile and laugh and strong spirit, which served her well in later life. She was resilient, tenacious and full of a humble grace and fortitude, traits she would attribute to her mother’s example. She always had a smile and a kind word for her nieces and nephews. Aunt Virginia could make a bad day better, listen to all your troubles, make you laugh, help you when in need and feed you if hungry. She made all her nieces and nephews feel special and loved. Many of them have happy memories of trips, outings and holidays spent with Aunt Virginia. Many families considered her an essential part of their own traditions – Christmas, Easter and all the important moments in life. She was so fond and appreciative of all of them. If you married into the family, she welcomed you with joy as well. She was also a steadying and comforting presence in times of sorrow or trouble. She was a strong support for many of her nieces and nephews in their times of grief and gracefully helped them to fill the void left when parents or siblings died. Even while in the hospital, she was able to enjoy her 97th birthday, which was filled with bright flowers and visits and calls from family and friends. She said it was a “lovely birthday with all her darling relatives.” The day was capped off by enjoying watching the Red Sox win that evening. She was a dedicated, passionate and knowledgeable Red Sox fan. She enjoyed a vibrant and full life. She loved yellow daisies, decorating for Christmas, owls, her sweet cat, making children smile, cooking “elegant” meals for her family and visits with friends. Her friends are many, including her neighbor and constant companion Marion O'Donnell, who predeceased her. In Virginia's younger years, she traveled extensively, including trips to Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy and throughout the United States. She had lots of grand adventures with her friends, parties, trips, shopping excursions, and pleasant afternoons just talking and laughing. She is survived by many friends and many, many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, great-grand and great-great grand nieces and nephews. They include grandniece Mary Jo Shafer, her helper and companion in her senior years, who was with her when she died; Christine (Richard) Shafer, Ryan Shafer, Patricia (Michael) Bolling, Linda (Robert) Holt, Barbara (Peter) Bradley and family, Susan Hobbs and family, James (Kathy) Linehan and family, Michael Linehan, William (Maggie) Linehan and family, Daniel Linehan and family and Jeremy (Charlotte) D’Entremont. There are too many nieces and nephews to list here – at last count in 1994 there were 64 of them – but each should know that you were special to her and always cherished by her. All will miss her and hold her memory close and always remember the important role she held in this loving family. Aunt Virginia was particularly pleased to celebrate the births of several babies this year, a new generation to dote on. In a remembrance for a family tree compiled by her sister Beatrice in 1994, brother Bill wrote that Virginia was a thoughtful, supportive and generous sister. She was “surely one of God’s greatest gifts,” he wrote. He remembered “times in my life when Virginia’s main interest was to provide happiness to a small boy…Virginia’s gifts are showered on every person who crosses her path…Concern for others and a strong desire to take part in ensuring that goal is the driving force in everything she does.” He wrote that Virginia “truly understood the meaning of love and made it a way of life.” We love you Aunt Virginia. Services: A wake will be held from Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home, 157 Maple St. in Lynn on Tuesday, June 13, from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s church, 8 South Common St. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lynn. Please visit www.cuffemcginn.com for directions, or to sign the on-line guest book.