Obituary of Virginia S. Berry

Virginia S. Berry, 90, passed away Jan 10, 2021 at Cove's Edge Long Term Care Facility, in Damariscotta, Maine, after a long battle with dementia. She was born at home in Newcastle, on Oct 22, 1930, daughter to Ralph Herbert Sprague and Thelma Hovey Cornish Sprague. She attended Franklin Grammar School and Lincoln Academy, in Newcastle, Maine. Ginny was proud to be on the 1948 Maine State Women's Basketball Championship team, coached by Nelson Bailey. For a short period after high school, she moved to the big city and worked in New York City for a TWA travel agency. After moving back home, she married her high school sweetheart George A. Berry, where they were married for 47 years. They had one son, George Jr. and three daughters, Tracey, Heidi, and Shelly. In her early years she worked for Lawson Aldrich's County Fair Restaurants and later at The Cheechako, both in Damariscotta. She worked at Contel Telephone Company, in Damariscotta for over 30 years, until her retirement as an executive secretary. Not quite ready for retirement, she continued to work next door for Susanna French Tax Services for many years. She was active in Brownies and Girl Scouts with her girls; and was also a very active member of the 2nd Congregational Church in Newcastle; as a Deacon, a Sunday school teacher, a singer in the senior choir, and also performed in the group Hearts Ever Young. After retirement she often volunteered at Miles Memorial Hospital and Eldercare. The things that gave her the most pride were her children, grandchildren and great­ grandchildren. She always followed and shared their accomplishments, travels and sporting events; either on the sidelines or from afar. She was a proud native Mainer, and her vivacious spirit and infectious laugh followed her until the very end and will be missed by all who loved her. She leaves behind her sister, Thelma House of South Bristol, son George and spouse Gail, daughter Tracey, daughter Heidi and spouse Ed, and daughter Shelly; six grandchildren, Cameron, Tyler, Anna, Alex, Cassie, and Connor; and four great grandchildren, Logan, Myles, Austin, and Haizeley. She is predeceased by her husband George, her mother Thelma and father, Ralph Sprague, her sisters, Bernice, Aldana, Beatrice, and Beverly; and her brothers, Frederick, Ralph, Neil, Anthony, and Alvah. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the 2nd Congregational Church c/o the Deacon's Memorial Fund in Newcastle. A burial service will be held at a later time.