Virginia I. Kelly

Virginia Kelly Obituary Virginia I. Kelly (Griffith), age 89, of Wilmington, formerly a long-time resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2025.
Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on February 13, 1936, Virginia, known as Ginger, was the dear daughter of the late Albert M. Griffith, Jr. and Dorothy (Gernet) Griffith. She was raised and educated in Middletown, Pennsylvania, alongside her brother Albert III and her twin sister Dorothy, and was a proud graduate of Middletown High School.
Ginger married her high school sweetheart, Ronald Kelly, and together they embarked on a life of adventure as a military family. Their journey took them around the world, with Berlin, Germany holding a special place in her heart. Along the way, they welcomed four children and created a lifetime of memories before settling in Melrose, Massachusetts, where they put down roots and raised their family.
In 1973, while raising four teenagers, Ginger returned to school and earned her Associate's Degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She dedicated her career to caring for others, working in dialysis units at several medical facilities before becoming a home dialysis nurse. Her compassion, skill, and calming presence made her a cherished caregiver and comfort to many patients and families.
Ginger was a woman of many talents and passions. A gifted artist and painter, she found joy in creating beauty through her art. She was also a talented seamstress, knitter, and an avid gardener with an incredible green thumb; her flower gardens were a source of pride and peace. She loved birdwatching and had a deep affection for all animals. Throughout her life, she also enjoyed square dancing and the friendships and laughter it brought.
Above all, Ginger was devoted to her family. She was a source of unconditional love, strength, and encouragement; a guiding light who always inspired those around her to do their best. She treasured her role as "Grammy" and "Great-Grammy," and she adored every moment spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Ginger's kindness, strength, and grace touched the lives of all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered with love.
Ginger was the beloved mother of Michael C. Kelly of Intervale, NH; Katherine A. Hurley and her husband Stephen of Melrose, MA; Betty Jo Johnson and her husband Steven of Wilmington, MA; and the late William J. Kelly.
She was the loving "Grammy" to Melanie Johnson-McShane and her husband Paul, Steven Johnson and his wife Kelly, Jennifer Burke and her husband Jonathan, Katie Hurley, Betsy Soderberg and her husband Carl, Abbie Hurley, Maggie Hurley and her husband Rob Baker, Meghan Mattson and her husband Erik, and Michael Kelly and his girlfriend Hannah Lindh.
She was the proud "Great-Grammy" of Jeremy, Cole, Riley, Keira, Grace, Stevie, Elle, Brody, Owen, Eliza, August, Josephine, Jeremiah, and Jack. She leaves many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and her dear Aunt Blanche, a remarkable woman in her own right.
Ginger was quite a lady-strong, loving, and caring. Her warmth, wisdom, and gentle spirit will remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
Besides her son and parents, Ginger is predeceased by her former husband Ronald E. Kelly, her brother Albert Griffith III, her twin sister Dorothy Laverty, and her companion Richard Whittaker.
Ginger's family would like to thank the staff at Willow Brook Nursing Home, Wilmington, MA, and the nurses of Compassionate Care Hospice for their kindness, comfort and care in her final days.
Family and friends will gather for Visiting Hours at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, MA, on Monday, November 3rd from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to gather at the Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 4th at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Dorothy's Church, Main St. (Rte. 38), Wilmington, MA, at 10:30 a.m. and interment will take place in Pillsbury Cemetery, Londonderry, NH.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Virginia's memory may be made to the Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood Foundation, 2000 Town Center, Suite 1900, Southfield, MI 48075 or online at ahckids.org
To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website at www.nicholsfuneralhome.com