VIRGINIA PARKER "JINNY" GODWIN

Virginia "Jinny" Ruth Parker Godwin, age 95, died on Friday, May 12, 2017, at her home in Madison. Jinny was the beloved wife of the late Paul A. "Bert" Godwin for 71 years. She is survived by three sons, Paul S. (Janice) Godwin II of Cincinnati, Ohio, A. Parker Godwin of Gillette, NJ, and Richard E. (Julianne) Godwin of Centerbrook, and two daughters, Virginia Lee (Robert) Bluis of Southington, and April A. (Peter) Shuman of Madison. She had 15 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Born September 30, 1921, in New Britain, Connecticut, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Grace Parker and the sister of the late Dorothy P. Lee. She was a resident of New Britain, until moving to Clinton, in 1950. She was also a summer resident of Jerusalem, RI, since 1965. Jinny attended Teachers College of Connecticut, now Central Connecticut State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. She taught at Vance Elementary School in New Britain for two years prior to starting her family. She also taught fourth grade at Clinton Elementary School (now Abraham Pierson School) during the 1957-1958 school year. Jinny was a woman of many talents – gourmet chef, gardener, historian, librarian, published author, genealogist, teacher, runner, vocalist, and musician. She was an active member of the choir of First Church of Christ Congregational, Clinton for many years and assisted with the youth choir. She also helped with the Clinton Dance Studio for many years by sewing costumes and organizing tiny tots backstage to make sure they appeared on cue. Jinny's interests also extended to the Clinton Land Conservation Trust as a Board Member and the Clinton Historical Society as Co-Librarian with her husband, Bert. She was an award winning runner, and served as a Cub Scout, Brownie and Girl Scout leader. With her husband, she attended many Elderhostel sessions about a variety of subjects in pursuit of knowledge. She was most known, however, for her handwork: knitting, tatting and crocheting. She was rarely seated without her hands busy with some form of needlework. She produced an enormous number of sweaters annually, including two for each grandchild, for many years. Christmas and birthdays always included a chorus of "a Grammy sweater" as the presents were opened. She will be missed immensely by her devoted family and her many friends. Her family will receive friends on Monday, May 22 from 4 PM to 6 PM at the Swan Funeral Home, 80 E Main St. Clinton. A graveside service will be held at 11 AM Tuesday, May 23 at Fairview Cemetery, New Britain. In lieu of flowers please make a memorial donation to the Clinton Historical Society, 103 E Main St, Clinton, CT 06413 or the Clinton Land Trust, PO Box 121 Clinton, CT 06413. For online condolences please visit: www.carmonfuneralhome.com