Virginia B. Waring

Born in the village of Fairlawn (Pawtucket), RI to Earl and Arlene Blackmer, Virginia shared a love of baking with her mother and spending time boating and socializing with family at their summer home on Hundred Acre Cove in Barrington, RI.

After moving to Swansea, MA, Virginia became interested in growing organic vegetables, grafting fruit trees, beekeeping, and perennial flowers. You could often find her outdoors working in her yard all year round. She was a member of the Swansea Garden Club, where many friendships were grown over a shared love of plants.

When Virginia was not in her garden, she was often in her sewing room making her own clothes, as well as pillows, curtains, and other textiles to create a warm and welcoming home for her family. She also excelled at knitting, which she tried very hard to teach to her daughters but had to remain satisfied that they at least knew how to sew.

You would always find a pile of library books stacked near her as she loved reading a good book, especially British mysteries. Virginia was also an avid watcher of British television shows and never missed an episode of Agatha Christie or Inspector Poirot.

Virginia is survived by her son Gordon Harvey, her daughters, Lynne Waring and her husband Henning Thormaehlen of Baldham, Germany, and Jennifer Waring of Swansea, MA, her grandchildren Caden Capaldo, and Oliver and Henry Thormaehlen, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Jean Blakey.

Her Funeral will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at Christ Church, 57 Main Street, Swansea, MA. Burial will be in Christ Church cemetery following the service. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Swansea Garden Club, c/o Nancy Allen, Treasurer, 303 Winslow Way, Swansea, MA 02777.