Georgina Rawles

Georgina M. Rawles RICHMOND - Georgina Marraccini Rawles died at home Feb. 27, 2008. She was preceded in death by her husband, James White Rawles and sister, Livia M. Whittall. Mrs. Rawles was the daughter of Ulric Charles Paul Marraccini and Mabel Whittall Marraccini. She was born at her family home, "Bournabat," in Smyrna (modern-day Izmir), Turkey, in 1918, to a family of British colonial expatriates who, by Act of Parliament, received the charter for the Levant Company in 1581 to facilitate the "Spice Road" trade. In 1920, the family left Turkey, on the cusp of that country's civil war, taking up subsequent residencies in Tunis (North Africa), Rome, Athens and Geneva. Mrs. Rawles was a graduate of the University of Geneva, Switzerland, where she studied political science. Her facility with numerous languages led, ultimately, to her assistance during World War II as a translator for both the Allied armies and the American Red Cross. At the start of World War II, at age 20, she was sent to live in Richmond with her aunt and uncle, Marie Helena Marraccini Archbell and the American tobacconist, Jehu Archbell. An avid equestrian, she served, during the War, as the first female huntsman for Deep Run Hunt Club. Mrs. Rawles was a committed philanthropist, indulging her love of the arts, culture, and the community through support of numerous organizations, including: The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, where she was active on the council and a particular supporter of South Asian Art; the Maymont Foundation, from which she received the Benevolent Society Award in 2005; the Salvation Army, serving as Christmas Mother in 1986; St. Paul's Episcopal Church, where she served as a co-chair for Lenten lunches; the American Red Cross; the Richmond Symphony; and the Virginia Opera. She served on the Board of the following foundations: Edgar Allen Poe Museum, the Richmond Ballet, Planned Parenthood and the James Monroe Foundation, from which she received the James Monroe Distinguished Public Service award in 2003. Mrs. Rawles was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, The James River Garden Club, The Deep Run Hunt Club, The Woman's Club, and the Country Club of Virginia. She is survived by five children, Marika Archbell Rawles, James White Rawles Jr., Elizabeth Rawles Cronly, Georgina Rawles Miller and Benjamin Watkins Rawles III; and 15 grandchildren, R. Boyd, James W. III, Alexander B. and Charles M. Rawles, Olivia Cronley Wages, John H.H., Benjamin C., William S. and Thomas R. Cronly; William S. IV, Georgina O., Katharine R. and T. Gray Miller, Cornelia S. and Louisa W. Rawles. A memorial service is planned for Monday at 3 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 9th and Grace Street, Richmond. Entombment will be private in Hollywood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations should be sent to one of the organizations mentioned above.