Virginia (Ginny) Norton Beach

Raleigh

Virginia (Ginny) Norton Beach, 85, of Raleigh, North Carolina and Raymond, Maine passed away July 13, 2016, at home in Raymond after a long battle with cancer.

She was born 9/11/30 in Portland, Maine, daughter of Clarence F. and Ruth Knight Norton. She was a 1948 graduate of Deering High School and a 1952 graduate of the University of Maine at Orono, where she majored in English. She stayed connected with friends from both classes throughout her life. On August 23, 1952, she married Elwood M. Beach at Congress Street UMC in Portland.

In each of the eight states where they resided, they quickly integrated into church and community activities. Music was always an important part of her life, playing violin and handbells for many occasions. She was a substitute music teacher in several school systems and also taught ESL. She still was in contact with people from most of the places she lived. She enjoyed traveling to many parts of Europe and Australia. Maine was home and for over 25 years, she and Elwood spent 5 months in Maine with family and friends at the lake and 7 months in Raleigh with friends there. She inspired many with her positive attitude throughout her life and lived her ambition to be happy.

Virginia is survived by her husband of nearly 64 years, Elwood, her daughter Katherine and spouse Randy Mithoefer of Merrimack, NH, daughter Linda and spouse Marty Bible of Wilmer, AL and son David Beach of West Covina, CA. She leaves five grandsons: Scott, Kurt and wife Nichole, and Trent Mithoefer and Nicholas and Christopher Bible. She also met and enjoyed great grandson Zachary, son of Kurt. She is survived by her sister Carol Norton Hall of Raymond, Maine and Lee Dale Shores, VA. There are many nieces, nephews and cousins living around the country.

A celebration of her life will be held at the East Raymond Chapel in Raymond, ME at 2:00 PM on July 23, 2016, and at Hayes Barton UMC in Raleigh, NC at 1:00 PM on August 23, 2016. Interment will be at a later date in Pine Grove Cemetary in Falmouth, ME.

Friends wishing to honor Virginia may make a donation to the Beach Family Scholarship at the University of Maine Foundation, 2 Alumni Place, Orono, ME 04459-5792. Online condolences may be left for the family at hallfuneralhome.net

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News and Observer on Jul. 18, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Virginia Beach

7 Entries

February 24, 2017

Words alone cannot ease the pain and loss that your family is experiencing right now. "May seeking comfort from God provide strength during this difficult time." Heartfelt condolences - Isa 51:12

Malcolm and Annette Cass

August 30, 2016

Tribute to Virginia Beach
August 30, 2016

Virginia was a special friend from the very beginning; within minutes of our first meeting, she and I discovered two key connections: the State of Maine and organ playing. It happened this way. Sometime late in 1997, after Annette and I had begun attending services at Hayes Barton United Methodist Church in Raleigh, NC, I was enjoying the organ postlude as we slowly filed out of the sanctuary. I remarked on the robust sound of a reed stop, and the lady immediately in front of me turned around and with enthusiasm gave me details of this reed stop. Her brilliant blue eyes must have made an impression on me, and perhaps I imagine that there was also an index finger raised for emphasis.

Before going out, we had introduced ourselves and learned that not only were we fellow lovers of organ music, but that we both originated in Portland, Maine, and that her mother and my father had both been organists there. Annette and Elwood were introduced, after which the four of us soon became good friends.

They invited us to join them in their usual pew for Sunday worship services. We soon decided to become members, and when we had completed the required new members' classes and stood before the congregation to make our new members' promises, Virginia and Elwood stood with us as our sponsors. One Sunday Virginia suggested that I should consider expanding my singing from hymns with the congregation to anthems with the choir. Lacking choral experience, I was daunted by the prospect of being held to the standards I admired every Sunday. With Virginia's encouragement I did join; over time, with the help and patience of my fellow basses, I found a place in the choir that has provided me with some of my deepest musical and spiritual experiences.

The four of us got together outside of church, sometimes for lunch after services; and once at their lakeside home in Raymond, Maine, for the lobster dinner that was legendary for North Carolinians who made that pilgrimage. After Virginia became ill, she and Elwood had us for tea and cookies at the lake one sunny day, on the shaded deck with a view past the house over the water. I felt the brevity of life and the blessing of having such friends.

Virginia was one tough Mainer, and she knew it. She never complained. She fought long enough to return more than once to Raleigh after summers in the Pine Tree State, where she received care at the Maine Medical Center in Portland. As the spring of 2016 approached here in Raleigh, Virginia continued to make herself available in church to those who loved her, despite a condition that by that time must have made it tough for even her to leave the house. One could tell after the service where she was from the clump of friends gathered round in the pews as she remained seated to greet them.

She was there in church on just about the last Sunday before her final return to Maine. Until their departure she received visitors in their home even as her devoted family cleared it out to put it on the market. We had some laughs in the living room and enjoyed Elwood's very interesting and impressive career story, which for some reason we had not heard before.

Annette and I will miss the hugs, the lively conversations, the shared love of music, the special cards she created. There was no goodbye; with Virginia it was always I'll see you again, and I trust that she will. Cancer has claimed many from our extended church family. They reassured us by their conduct through illness and departure, being present with us when they could, being loving and strong in Christ. Their faces and voices will come back to us in our own times of need. This too is one of Virginia's great gifts to us.

Our love and condolences go to Elwood and the family, to whom we are very grateful for the chance to celebrate her life here in Raleigh.

Malcolm Cass

Shirley Olde

August 20, 2016

It has been a pleasure to know Virginia through her association with my daughter, Suzanne DeWitt who played in the bell choir with her at Hayes Barton Methodist Church. She had such a strong and kind soul I know she will be loved in heaven.

Cássia Maria M.S.L.Garcia

July 28, 2016

I had a wonderful time with her and the whole family when I was an exchange student in USA, she was marvelous with me.Mom Beach will be in my memories.

July 23, 2016

I'm so sorry for your loss. May the words of our dear heavenly Father bring you comfort and hope. (Psalm 9:9, 10)

Nancy Schott Plaisted

July 22, 2016

I didn't know Ginny at the University of Maine in Orono while I was a student there, Class of 1953. Later, through my husband, Alan "Mike" Plaisted, '51,I met Ginny and "Woody." (Ginny was in my late brother's class. Emil Schott Jr. died in 1979.)

You couldn't meet a nicer person. So outgoing, friendly, always smiling, so full of life, with an optimistic view of her ongoing battle with cancer. Never once complaining.

I'd meet them at Casco Days, at the Casco Fair, and of course, at UMO reunions, with Woody playing the bagpipes for past classmates. Thank you, Woody.

Why is it that the great ones die?

I know her life and legacy, and all those wonderful memories, will live on, with Woody and their children and I wish them well.

July 21, 2016

So many wonderful memories. Ginny was a rare person who knew what "true" friendship really is.

Charlie & Diane

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