Virginia Nickerson Cooney

BRUNSWICK – Virginia “Ginny” Nickerson Cooney, 96, died peacefully on Oct. 22, 2025 after a short illness.

Virginia grew up in Greenville, Maine and graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in education prior to working as a second-grade teacher in Beverly, Mass. She married the love of her life, James Cooney.

They became long-term residents of Falmouth, where they raised their family. Virginia was a loving and devoted wife and mother. Eventually, she moved to Brunswick where she spent her widowhood. She was beautiful inside and out with an endearing, radiant smile. She was the matriarch of our family and was extraordinarily generous with her love.

Virginia had many passions. She was a puzzle master at Thornton Oaks Retirement Community. She was a voracious reader. She loved dogs and bred champion Weimaraner’s. Virginia was intellectually curious, loved to travel, visit new places and meet new people. She always had a garden and was generous with her produce. She insisted good soil, sun and love were key factors to her gardening success. She enjoyed genealogy and tracing the family history back to their crossing on the Mayflower. She was a proud member of the Mayflower Society and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Virginia was a collector of almost anything: stamps, coins, glassware, antiques, jewelry, string, etc. She was an incredible seamstress and enjoyed cross-stitch projects. She made her own clothes and was always available to complete sewing projects for her extended family. Virginia was fiercely independent. She continued to drive until she was 94. Asked what her secret was to longevity she would respond “never stop moving.” Virginia was frugal and thrifty, yet incredibly generous to her family and many charitable organizations.

Virginia was predeceased by her husband, James Cooney; son James “Jay” Cooney, DMD; a grandson, Matthew Cooney; and her brother, Hiram Nickerson.

She is survived by her children Robert Cooney, MD and spouse Lorrie, Syracuse, N.Y., Janet Kole, Topsham, John Cooney, Rangeley; her grandchildren, Meagan Cooney and spouse Jon David Sumega, Portland, Ore., Jenn Kole and spouse Paul Fuller, Portland, Erin Cooney Fitzgerald and spouse Chris, Plantation, Fla., Jason Cooney and spouse Alisha, Topsham, Lynne and spouse Chris Halligan, South Berwick, Hannah Kole and spouse Matt Grifferty, Pasadena, Calif., Mitchell Cooney and fiancé Amelia, Brighton, Mass., Jeffrey Cooney, Manchester, N.H., Charlotte Cooney, New York, N.Y.; five great-grandchildren (one pre-deceased); her sister, Ellen Poole, Bedford, N.H.; and several nieces, nephews and friends.

Virginia was a giving person but did not like accepting gifts. She would ask for nothing at this time, except for us to be kind to one another.

A graveside service for her with family will be held June 20, 2026.