Virginia Pillsbury

Virginia A. (Tumpney) Pillsbury, 79, a life-long resident of Pepperell, MA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Born on April 1,1939 in Pepperell, Virginia, affectionately known as Ginger, was the daughter of the late Richard and Lillian (Hills) Tumpney.

Ginger graduated from Pepperell High School in 1957 where she was an outstanding student athlete. She went on to further her education at Burbank Hospital School of Radiologic Technology in Fitchburg, MA and was employed for many years at the Groton Hospital and the Nashoba Community Hospital. After retiring she became a volunteer at the Peter Fitzpatrick School and was soon hired as a teacher’s assistant where she spent close to 20 years working with kindergarten students.

Throughout her life she was involved in many community activities which included coaching youth softball, volunteering to cook at Pepperell musters, ham and bean suppers at the church, and participating in fundraising events to support various local athletic teams and organizations. Ginger was a member of the Pepperell Women’s Club and was extremely proud to be a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of America, from whom she was recently awarded her 60-year pin.

Ginger was very warm, outgoing, and would make time for everyone. Family was the most important thing in Ginger’s life. She loved her children and grandchildren and especially looked forward to all family events. She kept a beautiful home and was an excellent cook. Ginger also enjoyed her flowers and rarely missed a good yard sale.

Virginia is survived by her loving husband of 59 years Harold “Rabbit” Pillsbury Jr. Together the couple raised three children; Deborah and her husband Robert Campbell of Groton, Susan and her husband Charles Gambale Jr of Swampscott, and Mark Pillsbury and his wife Kelly of Westport. She also leaves behind her adored grandchildren Elizabeth and Jennifer Campbell; Charles III, Matthew, and Brett Gambale; and Shaun and Ella Pillsbury. She is survived by her sister Lillian and her husband Robert McDowell of Pepperell, her sister-in-laws Ann Shattuck, Patricia Archibald and her husband Willard, and Joan Daigle along with many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Richard Tumpney Jr.

Visiting hours will be held from 4-7pm at the Marchand Funeral Home,16 Pleasant St, Pepperell on Sunday, October 7th. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Parish, St. Joseph Church, 28 Tarbell St, Pepperell on Monday, October 8th followed by burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Pepperell. The family encourages any donations be made to the Oxalosis & Hyperoxaluria Foundation. Visit https://ohf.org/donate