Virginia N. Beach, 85

 

RAYMOND — Virginia (Ginny) Norton Beach, 85, of Raleigh, N.C. and Raymond, passed away on Wednesday, July 13, 2016, at home in Raymond after a long battle with cancer.

She was born on Sept. 11, 1930 in Portland, daughter of Clarence F. and Ruth Knight Norton. She was a 1948 graduate of Deering High School and a 1952 graduate of the University of Maine at Orono, where she majored in English. She stayed connected with friends from both classes throughout her life. On Aug. 23, 1952, she married Elwood M. Beach at Congress Street UMC in Portland.

In each of the eight states where they resided, they quickly integrated into church and community activities. Music was always an important part of her life, playing violin and handbells for many occasions. She was a substitute music teacher in several school systems and also taught ESL. She still was in contact with people from most of the places she lived. She enjoyed traveling to many parts of Europe and Australia. Maine was home and for over 25 years, she and Elwood spent five months in Maine with family and friends at the lake and seven months in Raleigh with friends there. She inspired many with her positive attitude throughout her life and lived her ambition to be happy.

Virginia is survived by her husband of nearly 64 years, Elwood; her daughters, Katherine Mithoefer of Merrimack, N.H. and Linda Bible of Wilmer, Ala.; a son, David Beach of West Covina, Calif.; five grandsons; her sister, Carol Norton Hall of Raymond and Lee Dale Shores, Va.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins living around the country.

A celebration of her life will be held at the East Raymond Chapel in Raymond at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 23, 2016, and at Hayes Barton UMC in Raleigh, N.C. at 1 p.m. on Aug. 23, 2016. Interment will be at a later date in Pine Grove Cemetery in Falmouth.

Online condolences may be left for the family at hallfuneralhome.net

Friends wishing to honor Virginia may make a donation to the Beach Family Scholarship at the University of Maine Foundation, 2 Alumni Place, Orono, ME 04459-5792.