Virginia Folsom

GARDINER -- Virginia S. Folsom, 80, of Capen Road died Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

She was born in Newport, R.I., on May 6, 1926, the daughter of the late George Alvin Simmons and Ethel (Caswell) Simmons.

Virginia was an Episcopalian for all of her 80 years. She was a member of Christ Church in Gardiner from 1952 until her death. Prior to that, she was a member since childhood of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Portsmouth, R.I.

Virginia grew up in Middletown, R.I., graduating from Rogers High School in Newport, class of 1944. She was well known for her horseback riding around Middletown's Lawton Valley as a young girl.

A young Marine on guard duty at a Navy gate near her home caught her eye while out riding one day. One thing led to another and, on Jan. 20, 1945, they were married at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Ports-mouth. They would have been married for 62 years on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007. During their early marriage, they lived in and around the Providence and Middletown, R.I., area, working on farms with the latter being Virginia's parents' farm. Gordon and Virginia also ran a small neighborhood store in Middletown for a short time, as well.

In the spring of 1952, Gordon took a job as a salesman for his brother, Ralph, in Gardiner. He traveled back and forth between Gardiner and Middletown on weekends to visit his family. Then, in August 1952, Virginia and their two sons, Stephen and Scott, moved to Randolph to join him. The family lived in Randolph until the fall of 1957, when they moved to Gordon's and Virginia's current residence on Capen Road.

Virginia spent all of her married life as a stay-at-home wife and mother. She was a fantastic role model for her sons. Gordon was a salesman and spent most of his time on the road making it necessary for Virginia to literally run the household in his absence.

She did that extremely well for many years, always making sure her family had what it needed.

Gordon retired in 1989. He and Virginia were very fortunate to have shared 18 wonderful years together in retirement.

They had always been very proud of their home and grounds. Virginia grew many plants and flowers each year. It is well known she was especially proud of her roses. Gordon still devotes much of his time in the spring and summer months to maintain a beautiful yard with many interesting areas. The Kennebec Journal ran a local interest story on their yard a few years ago.

Virginia's parents and her three sisters, Marjorie Menzi, Barbara Mosher and Hope Reagan, all of the Newport, R.I., area, predeceased her.

She is survived by her husband, Gordon; sons Stephen Folsom and his wife, Theresa, of Randolph, and Scott Folsom and his wife, Lee-Anne, of Vassalboro; grandchildren Tracy Audet and her husband, Mark, of Vassalboro, Crystal Mort and her husband, Brian, of Vassalboro, Stephen Folsom Jr. of Belgrade, Jennifer Audie of Raymond, Erica Folsom and her companion, Brian Peck, of Campton, N.H., and Jessica Means and her husband, David, of Rumney, N.H.; great-grandchildren Hope and Brenna Audet, Morgan Folsom, Devon Audie, Adam, Benjamin, and Elizabeth Means; and several cousins, nieces and nephews in Rhode Island.

There will be no visiting hours. A service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23 at Christ Church, Dresden Avenue, Gardiner. Following the service, Virginia will be buried in St. Mary's Cemetery in Ports-mouth, with a brief graveside service.

Those wishing to make donations in Virginia's name may do so to Christ Church.

Arrangements are under the care of Staples Funeral Home, Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner. Condolences to the family may be expressed via the funeral home Web site at http://www.staplesfuneral home.com.