Virginia Lee Prettyman Merrill

1915 - 2015

WILLIAMSBURG - Virginia Merrill ("Gini") died on November 11th, just 39 days short of her 100th birthday. She left Woodhaven Hall at Williamsburg Landing in Williamsburg, Virginia via the front door, accompanied by prayers and songs by staff, friends, and family, in the tradition of "The Fond Farewell." Gini is predeceased by her mother, Ethel Davis Prettyman, her father, Edwin Millis Prettyman, her brother, Edwin Millis Prettyman, Jr., her husband, Theodore Gene Merrill, and her stepson, Peter Robert Merrill. She leaves behind a daughter, Susan Merrill Richardson; a son-in-law, Gordon Richardson; four grandchildren, Peter Reed Merrill, Sara Merrill Shafer, Edwin Derek Richardson, and Robin Gordon Richardson; and five great-grandchildren, Julia Chase Richardson, Skyler Grace Richardson, Lucy Merrill Richardson, Maisy Joan Richardson, and William Gordon Richardson. Growing up in Philadelphia during the Depression, Gini learned to accomplish what she wanted by "making do." For unaffordable white-wall tires on her first car, she applied paint. There were no funds for college, so she utilized her creative talents to earn a living with custom lampshades and dressmaking. Needlepoint, crewel embroidery, papier t�ile, miniature scenes inside goose eggs, faux finishes, glass blowing, and jewelry making were added to her repertoire. She created whimsical themed hats and pocketbooks that were featured in House and Garden magazine and in Lord & Taylor's New York City store. But one creative endeavor brought forth all the artistic talents she could muster: Miniatures. The art of miniatures caught Gini's attention in the early 1970's, during a trip with her husband to a business convention in Chicago. She passed up the ladies' activities and, instead, went to the Art Institute. There she discovered the 68 Thorne Miniature Rooms. These rooms, which are at a 1" to 1' scale, allow the study of different period interior styles at a single location. A series of return visits resulted in her gaining access to the interiors of these rooms and meeting the man who created them, Eugene Kupjack. Her reaction was, "I want to make rooms like that!" It took some time for Gini to perfect the many skills needed to create miniature rooms, but perfect them she did! She learned electrical wiring, carpentry, faux painting, furniture making, and upholstery from artists working in life size scale, then applied those techniques to the smaller scale. She was fascinated by tools and learned how to use a jewelers lathe to make parts for miniature pieces. After mastering the creative processes, she taught others in the basement of her New Jersey home. Her classes were featured on CBS-TV in 1978 by Jack Hubbard and Charles Osgood. Gini never regarded miniatures as anything but art because of the museum setting where she was introduced to them. She became involved in creating the International Guild of Miniature Artisans with other miniaturists whose mission was to establish fine miniatures as art, not toys. In 1996 she was awarded the Guild's Crystal Award for outstanding contributions to the art. Who's Who in America included Gini as a "lady carpenter." She wrote three books on making miniature pieces for Crown Publishers in New York, the last with her daughter. The Merrills moved to Williamsburg Landing in 1986 and were among the "first settlers." Gini continued with all of her creative projects, offering classes to fellow residents and to students in William and Mary's Christopher Wren program. When Susan and Gordon stayed as guests in the homes of her friends, they often would come upon lampshades, papier t�ile, or découpage created either by the home-owner or Gini. Gini's home was filled with beautiful objects that she collected and created. Guests were entertained as much by the elegant setting as by the delicious food she produced. Sharing with friends was a priority and involved gifts of tiny trinkets and sweet treats made in her kitchen. The family is very grateful for the support and care provided during her almost thirty years as a resident at Williamsburg Landing. Particular thanks go to the staff at Woodhaven Hall who nurtured not only Gini, but also her daughter, during the last three years of her life. A dog was always present in Gini's homes. Her love of animals was strong from a young age. We have established a fund in her name at the Heritage Humane Society and would welcome any donations in her honor. Their contact information is 430 Waller Mill Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185 or http://heritagehumanesociety.org/donate/. A celebration of the life of Gini Merrill will be held on Friday, December 4th at 3pm at Woodhaven Manor in the Assisted Living Parlor.