Virginia (Ginger) Watkins

Having just returned home from a brief "mini-reunion" with Belmont classmates Bev & Janie, I feel a wave of gratitude (once again!) for having considered Ginger´s a best friend during my "formative years." We raised a toast to her on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee- and send aloha´s and love to all her family.
May Lawson Mamiya

So sorry to hear of Ginger's passing. Although we haven't been in touch for many years, we have some fond memories from the 60's and 70's and the beach in Dennis. Time goes by too fast. Rest in peace, Ginger!

She was my teacher and someone I recall helping me through one of my toughest years of school. I was bullied and put under a lot of pressure with the learning disabilities I had. But she continued to work with me the best she could despite the struggles I had confronting my issues.

A memory that sticks out to me the most was a time where I got upset and began my wild sprint out of the school. My instinct was flight, which was dangerous because the school was near a busy road and I tried to scramble out the front doors. But in my attempt to rush out Ginger nabbed me and took me to the far wall and just sat down and hugged me until I stopped crying and squirming. She was patient and determined and I'll always appreciate that. Thank you for the memories, you'll always be an important part of my life.

Ginger was my first and finest mentor. I was enrolled in a special education Master's program through Lesley and Brookline Public Schhols. After I met her fleetingly, I asked specifically for Ginger to be my mentor and am so glad I did. Ginger introduced me to many techniques, situations, solutions and created many of my early teaching memories. She inspired me to be innovative and persistent in my support of special needs students. Ginger also taught me voice modulation and behavior modification skills that I am still using today as I start my 21st year of teaching. I stayed in touch with her until just after she moved to NY and I will cherish the dinners we had together as a colleague and supportive friend. She spoke often of her 3 daughters to the point where it feels that I know them personally. My deepest condolences to them and all who knew and loved Ginger. She was an amazing force to be reckoned with and will remain in my heart for the rest of my life.

Ginger was a pleasure to know and one of the favorites of the MGH Lung Transplant Team. Always glowing when talking about her family. She will be missed.

Ginger and I met in elementary school and I am very grateful for the subsequent 7 decades of or friendship. In a diary in my mid-teens I wrote Ginger´s "greatest gift is that she sees the best part of people and is continuously trying to better herself. With her is security because you can really count on her." Those words proved predictive. What a remarkable mother, grandmother, teacher, advocate...friend.

I was honored to know Ginger through our Alpha-1 Center at Boston University and Boston Medical Center and to see her regularly, including at the annual Alpha-1 Celtic Connection where she was on the organizing committee. Her joy in living life, curiosity, and pride in her family were inspirational and contagious. She was the ultimate educator, always teaching, whether it was to her students, her physicians, or the greater Alpha-1 Community. We will all miss you, Ginger.
Darrell Kotton, MD

I grew up across the street from the Watkins girls on Moreland Ave. in Newton. I remember the very first day I met them in our backyard, as she came over to welcome us as soon as we moved in. I can still recall the visceral excitement of meeting her middle daughter, Jennie, who was closest to my age and who quickly became my best friend. Ginger always had snacks for us any time we came over. Grilled cheese and tomato soup come to mind, and fresh baked cookies, brownies, banana bread. I remember her laughing with her own mother, who would often visit with her dog, Whiskey. To this day, whenever I see a fluffy white dog, I stop the owner and tell them about Whiskey. I don't remember ever seeing Ginger sit down, as she was always busy cooking and doing other chores around the house, always with a ton of energy and a bounce in her step. I think of her literally every time I do the laundry and leave them on the bottom step, just as Ginger did for her girls, so the kids could learn responsibility by bringing their own clothes upstairs and putting them away. I loved her grilled cheeses. She was a wonderful mother, I'm sure she will be missed, and I appreciate the many afternoons I shared at her home back in the late '70's.

Ginger brought joy to all of our lives and was such an important person to so many of us growing up. She was loving, ethical and good and Kate, Jenny and Megan will continue to carry her legacy in the same way. Sending so much love and deepest sympathy to you all.

I first met Ginger on the day we moved into our house across the street from hers in Newton. She brought over a cake she had generously made for our family. Dorothy Dundas

I so fondly remember the night at the Watkins´s annual Christmas Eve party when Ginger finally invited me to sit in the kitchen with the grown ups. Those parties - every one of them so different - were always a joy and a beautiful celebration of friends during the holiday season.