After a brief illness, Virginia Franklin Reid, 97, a longtime resident of Kennebunkport, passed away Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough surrounded in love by her family.
Virginia was born at home on Aug. 5, 1924, in Manasquan, New Jersey, the daughter of Samuel A. and Mildred Agnes LaChomas Franklin, and is a graduate of Manasquan High School. Briefly attending Montclair State Teachers’ College in Montclair, New Jersey, she met the love of her life, Wallace Reid, and they were married in July 1944. For the next 68 years they were an incredible team. They had six children, ran two businesses, and traveled the United States and the world together and with friends.
As a team, in Kennebunkport they ran The Arundel Inn from 1946 through 1971. In 1972, they transitioned to operating The Green Heron Inn with its legendary breakfasts. They retired from the inn business in 1987. In retirement, they traveled the world as a couple and with friends and family.
She was an active member of South Congregational Church in Kennebunkport, serving as a trustee and organizing weekly fish chowder luncheons for many years. She was a member of the Lower Village Mothers Club, serving as president of the club for several years until it was dissolved.
Virginia is predeceased by her husband Wallace Edward Reid, a daughter Deidre Ann Nelson, and two brothers Samuel E. and Robert W. Franklin.
Survivors include her daughter Alice Reid Moisen of South Portland, four sons, Robert Wallace Reid (Janice) of Leland, North Carolina, Jonathan Scott Reid (Susan) of Arundel, Paul Shannon Reid (Maritza) of Mason, Ohio, and Richard Alan Reid (Kathy) of Brookings, South Dakota, 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Not “wanting a fuss” Virginia will be interred with her beloved Wallace in Arundel Cemetery, Kennebunkport, in a private family service. Condolences to the family may be sent to Alice R. Moisen, 74 Running Hill Road, Apt. 201, South Portland, ME. 04106.
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Virginia’s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to South Congregational Church, PO Box 414 Kennebunkport, ME 04046 or Gosnell Memorial Hospice House c/o Hospice of Southern Maine, 390 Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.
Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk, ME 04043.
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