Virginia D. Atwater

WESTFIELD-. Virginia D. Atwater died January 10, 2011 at Westfield Care and Rehabilitation Center. She was born on December 18, 1924 in Manchester, New Hampshire to the late Ralph and Marion (Sullivan) Davis and had lived in Westfield for one year. Earlier she and her husband Jim, who were married for 64 years, had lived in Wilbraham, and previously Margate, FL for 20 years, as well as West Springfield. During WW II, Ginny (Davis) served as a social director for the American Red Cross in Manchester, NH. While serving there she had the opportunity to meet and play a game of tennis with the then Captain James Stewart, actor, who was on his way to the European Theater. She was a member of Westfield’s “Hopefully Well Affected Club” which began in the 1800’s as a social organization for the Westfield community. Employed by Robert Whalen, she enjoyed her secretarial duties, retiring after 10 years of service. Virginia was elected to the position of Executive Secretary for the Board of Directors of Coconut Creek, Florida. Her hobbies included knitting and crossword puzzles and she was an avid reader. Predeceased by her parents, her great granddaughter, Faith Atwater, and her son, Jeffrey Allen Atwater, she leaves her husband, Jim Atwater, of Westfield, MA, two sons: James D. Atwater (Theresa), of Westfield, MA, Stephen J. Atwater (Chris), of Novado, CA; one daughter: Pamela Sue Atwater, of Petaluma, CA; a sister: Barbara Sawyer (Ralph), of Wellesley, MA; two grandchildren: Scott Atwater (Kristi), of Naperville, IL and Daniel Atwater (Ellie), of West Springfield, MA; along with six great grandchildren: Caiden, Cal Robert, Ainsley, Grace, Marlie Rae and Brynn Atwater. Services are private. In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorial contributions to be made in Virginia’s name to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of Springfield, 264 Cottage St., Springfield, MA 01104. New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA is assisting the family. For expressions of sympathy please visit www.nefcc.net