Virginia Albert Adams

ADAMS Virginia Albert (Achtmeyer) Adams passed away at the age of 90 on April 11, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. Mrs. Adams filled her 90 years with family, good friends, music and laughter. Virginia May Albert was born in San Diego, California on May 9, 1921. She was the eldest child of Navy Chaplin, Captain Francis Lee Albert and Fern Olsen Albert of Royal Palm, Florida. Her childhood, as the proud daughter of a Navy Chaplin, brought her all over the globe, including Guam, American Samoa, China, Japan, the Philippines, California and Florida. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude from Carlton College in 1942, Mrs. Adams settled in Long Island and married George B. Achtmeyer in 1944. They divorced in 1958. In 1960, she married Dr. F. Dennette Adams of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Dr. Adams was Consultant Emeritus in Medicine for the U.S. Army, editor of Physical Diagnosis, and was on the Senior Consultant Staff in General Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he worked for 55 years. Mrs. Adams worked as a lecturer for the Public Relations Committee, American Delegation, at the United Nations from 1947 to 1955. In 1956, Mrs. Adams earned her pilot’s license and for six years, from 1956 to 1962, she flew in the Civil Air Patrol, retiring as a Captain. Mrs. Adams also graduated from the United States Power Squadron as the first female Navigator on Long Island. In the 1980s and early 1990s Mrs. Adams worked in the Radiology Department of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Mrs. Adams credited her mother, who directed Naval choirs on the military bases where Capt. Albert was stationed, for her passion for the arts. Mrs. Adams began painting landscapes in the early 1960s, a delight that would last for the rest of her life. Additionally, Mrs. Adams was an active member of the choir at her church, Church of the Redeemer, in Chestnut Hill, and was a member of The Footlight Club in Jamaica Plain, where she stared in plays such as “Auntie Mame,” “The Philadelphia Story,” and “Bells are Ringing” Though she had given up regular exercise years ago, Mrs. Adams’ depression-era upbringing instilled in her a passion for activity and fun. She was a long time member of The Country Club where she was a regular at the pool, swimming daily into her 80s. Additionally, Mrs. Adams also enjoyed tennis and skiing. Her love for the outdoors included her garden in Chestnut Hill where she would entertain regularly. Mrs. Adams is survived by her son, William F. Achtmeyer of Boston, five grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Massachusetts General Hospital in Mrs. Adams name. The family will hold a private ceremony.