Virginia Martin Williams, known and loved by family and friends for her loyalty and strong sense of community, passed away on December 15, 2016. “Ginny” to all who knew her, was born on August 22, 1944 in New London, Connecticut as the first child of Herbert S. and June M. Williams. She attended the Groton schools, was active in the Girl Scouts and later in the Mariner Sea Scouts. In high school, she served as editor of the school newspaper. Ginny had many friends growing up, building strong relationships that lasted throughout her life.

After graduating from Fitch High School, Ginny and her family moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho. There Ginny enrolled at Idaho State University in Pocatello where she studied English and trained to become a teacher. Upon graduation, she moved home to Connecticut and began her teaching career at Eastern Point School where she learned how much she loved working with children.

But, with family ties in Maine Ginny soon began a new chapter in her life. She moved to South Freeport and took a teaching job with the Portland schools. Ginny’s first Maine winter was a real test of commitment to her new life. That year, Casco Bay froze solid and temperatures plummeted so low that her landlady felt badly enough to return her rent for the month of February. Despite this harsh introduction, Ginny embraced Maine coastal life and the following year moved to a seasonal camp at the end of Flying Point. After school, she’d come home to dig clams and fish a few lobster pots. Even when her lobster lines were cut in those first years she persisted, eventually winning over local fishermen as they realized she was a good neighbor with no intent to threaten their livelihood. Ginny enjoyed sharing the beauty of the world around her with her young students, often bringing them home for a boat ride or a hike along a coastal trail.

In 1972 Ginny built her home on Ringrose Road. In those days, it was no easy task for a single woman to get a mortgage and build a house. But undaunted Ginny persuaded bankers and builders to take a chance on her. She soon had the home on Ringrose Road, overlooking fields, fruit trees and a garden that she enjoyed for the rest of her life.

In the summer of 1980 Ginny made a trip to Reno, Nevada to visit Kent Wilkinson, a dear college friend recently widowed and raising two children on his own. That was the beginning of a love affair that lasted the rest of her life. The Wilkinson’s moved to Freeport in October of 1980 and on New Year’s Day, 1981 Ginny became Kent’s wife and mother to Jan then age 11, and Sean age 6.

Ginny wanted to spend more time with her new family. Shortly after she married she began what soon became a successful home business making hand sewn catnip products, baby bibs, and potholders. She created the original catnip sleeping mat that was soon delighting cats nationwide.

When she retired, Ginny’s interest turned to fiber arts and she became an accomplished spinner, knitter and weaver. On occasion, she’d even spin yarn from neighborhood dogs to knit winter hats for their owners. Ginny enjoyed gathering with other spinners, especially the weekly group at Halcyon Yarns in Bath. Sun, rain or snow she attended spin-ins around the state. Closer to home she valued the sense of community she shared with friends and neighbors knitting beside a warm stove at Bessie’s Farm Goods on Litchfield Road in Freeport.

Throughout her life Ginny loved nature and the world around her. She took her nieces backpacking to Katahdin, made several trips to Newfoundland, and travelled to England and Scotland. She treasured her camp on Mooselookmeguntic Lake where she watched otters play and occasionally caught a glimpse of a moose grazing in the tall grass at the end of her cove. She loved falling asleep to the calls of the loons. Ginny was an avid reader particularly enjoying stories about Maine in earlier times and British female sleuths. She served as the treasurer of the Freeport Democratic Town Committee for many years. She was never without a dog or two; all loyal companions that brought great joy to her life.

But it was Ginny’s nature as a faithful friend and neighbor that truly defined her. She was always ready to lend a hand to anyone who needed it, whether caring for a sick friend; filling a neighbor’s birdfeeder or feeding their cat; or even driving to Newfoundland to pick up stranded sailors— you could always count on Ginny. She was committed to building a better world, by helping one person at a time. She cared about others, was never afraid to speak her mind, and believed that our lives are more meaningful when our actions reflect our values. Hers truly did.

Ginny is survived by her husband, Kent Wilkinson of Freeport; daughter Jan Wilkinson and her husband Jade Prout of Portland; brother Steven Williams and his wife Donna of Portland; sister Nancy Williams and her husband Al Maloney of Waldoboro; nephews Samuel and Simon Williams and nieces Hannah, Hope and Leila Percy. Ginny is predeceased by her son Sean Wilkinson. Ginny leaves behind many loving friends who will miss her greatly.

A memorial service will be held in the spring of 2017 at Ringrose Road in Freeport.

Please make donations in lieu of flowers to Maine Equal Justice Partners, 126 Sewall Street, Augusta, Maine 040330 (www.mejp.org).