“She shared her zealous approach to life with many.”
By James VanBever, Board Member, Westford Historical Society
Virginia M. (Strong) Kimball was born on June 28, 1940 in Los Angeles, California. She was the daughter of John and Bethany June Strong. Virginia or “Ginny” and her husband Dean of 59 years had nine children and eighteen grandchildren at the time of her death. Ginny and Dean raised their family mostly in Westford and were involved in many community and religious activities.
At the center of Virginia’s life was her family and her Christian faith. All of Ginny’s nine children were involved in various sports and activities in Westford. In fact, she assisted in the writing of a book entitled “On the Sidelines” by Jon Hellstedt, Daniel Rook, and David Watson that dealt with raising children who were involved in sports. She commented that “a lot of the concerns that are raised in the book I’ve experienced firsthand.” Virginia was also a “consultant for a children’s writing program through the Massachusetts Council for the Arts.”
Although busy raising a large family in Westford, Ginny was active in many other civic and religious affairs. One of her closest friends, Ann Marie Maguire once commented that “I can’t think of anybody who does as much as Ginny and does it well.” For one thing, she was the editor of the Westford Eagle where she reported on government and civic affairs. In addition to being editor of the Eagle, she later became the religious editor of the Lowell Sun. While working at the Sun, Ginny was able to meet Pope John Paul II during a religious meeting. During this time, she mentored many student writers and taught writing classes at the Roudenbush Community Center.
Mrs. Kimball was a teacher and Biblical scholar by profession. She taught theology at both Assumption and Merrimac College where she was an adjunct professor. Virginia held a doctorate degree in Sacred Theology, a license in Sacred Theology, and a Master’s Degree from Andover Newton Theological School. Ginny also taught weekly Confraternity of Christian Doctrine classes at St. Catherine of Alexandria church in Westford. She also coached and taught liturgical drama for the summer ecumenical Bible school.
An accomplished and published writer, Ginny wrote magazine articles, poetry, plays, academic works, and Christmas cards. She even wrote a play for the Westford bicentennial entitled “A Day for Doughnuts” which was about an episode in Westford’s Revolutionary War hero Colonel John Robinson’s life, when he had to leave hurriedly for the battle at the North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts. The play was about the food (including doughnuts) prepared by Robinson’s family and his servants for the Colonel and his troops prior to the battle with the British.
Ginny was a member of the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Lowell, Massachusetts for many years, where she was involved and appreciated the church’s fellowship. During this time she was president of the Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the United States and past president of the Mariological Society of America.
She was also one of the founders and leaders of the LaLeche League in Westford. The LaLeche League is an international non-sectarian organization that was founded with the goal of encouraging and supporting nursing mothers. Virginia held some of the first meetings of the League in her home on Wayne Pond.
Virginia was also involved in the building of the Westford Knight monument on Depot Street. Along with Dave Christiana, Nancy Cook, and Westford Knight expert and author David Brody, Mrs. Kimball helped raise funds to construct the current Westford Knight monument. Ginny stated at the time that she had been “involved in researching the Westford Knight for about 40 years and said that if the history turns out to be true, it would make Plymouth Rock look like a pebble.”
Mrs. Kimball was also involved in the formation of the Westford Museum and continued to be active in the Westford Historical Society throughout her life. In addition, Ginny volunteered in such things as a food cooperation, the Lowell Girl Scouts, and recruiting for a youth theater entitled the “Popcorn Players.’
Ginny’s community spirit spread far and wide. On one occasion, there was a major fire in Lynn, Massachusetts and Virginia went to work collecting clothing and supplies for the victims. When there was no way of delivering the supplies to Lynn, she loaded up her own car and delivered them herself.
Virginia M. Kimball died on July 18, 2019 just a few months away from being a great-grandmother. “She shared her zealous approach to life with many.” Ginny is buried at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Westford.
Sources:
“Family day activities set for Westford Common Sunday,” Lowell Sun, by Gordon B. Seavey, July 18. 1977, p. 9.
Ibid. “He was the priest of priests,” April 9, 2006.
Ibid. “Firefighter aims to redesign Westford Monument,” by Samantha Allen, March 26, 2014.
“LaLeche League Formed,” Westford Eagle, March 26, 1970, p. 6.
Ibid. “Meet your neighbor,” by Jean Bell, May 10, 1979, p. 3.
Ibid. June 2, 1988, p. 14.