AVON – Virginia Hunter (Peck) Stinchfield, of Avon, died peacefully Thursday night, March 3, 2005, at Franklin Memorial Hospital. She was 91 years young. She was born June 12, 1913, in Providence, R.I., daughter of William B. and Lucy (Hartwell) Peck. She attended schools in Providence and later in Mountain Lakes, N.J., where the family eventually moved. She attended Wheaton College and worked at Bell Labs in New York. During World War II, she was a certified ground instructor for the Civil Aeronautics Administration, teaching young pilots how to navigate. Before Jinny (as most knew her) was born, her parents would visit this beautiful area of Maine spending summers at a boarding house on Tory Hill in Phillips, owned and run by Theron Hunter. Jinny’s parents were clearly impressed with this man, as they named their youngest daughter after him. Little did Jinny know that she would eventually marry a man also named after Mr. Hunter, Theron “Stin” Stinchfield. Theron’s mother Myrtie worked at the boarding home for Mr. Hunter and was equally inspired by him. Jinny and Stin would eventually meet more than 20 years later, fall in love and marry on July 9, 1935. Jinny was a very creative and strong woman, always optimistic, never looking back, only forward. She loved flowers, especially wild daisies, and of course, her constant loyal companion, her cat Dipsy. She supported her husband’s long career as a high school principal while raising two sons. When Stin retired they had a wonderful 18 years together before his passing in 1990 after 55 years of marriage. They traveled to Europe, lived in Florida during Maine’s winters, and spent summers back on the Avon farm, where Stin grew up. The one hobby that occupied most of their time was golf. They loved the sport and played every chance they could. Over the last 10 years or so, when Jinny needed a cane to walk, her trusty old golf putter was always at her side. She delighted in the frequent comments from other golfers about what a great idea that was. Surviving are her sons, Richard H. Stinchfield and his wife, Lynne, of Fort Collins, Colo.; David R. Stinchfield and his wife, Vicki, of Avon; granddaughters, Ginger Garff and her husband, Mark, of Seattle, Wash.; Holly Stinchfield of Fort Collins, Colo.; Wynter Stinchfield of Somerville, Mass.; and grandson, Ben Stinchfield of Avon; a sister-in-law, Marjie Stinchfield of Farmington, several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sisters, Ruth Salmon and Margaret Fuller. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, March 12, 2005, at the Phillips United Methodist Church in Phillips, with the Rev. Norman Boulay officiating. In lieu of flowers friends wishing may make donations in her memory to the Theron R. Stinchfield Scholarship Fund at Mt. Abram High School in Salem. Arrangements under the care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan.
VIRGINIA HUNTER (PECK) STINCHFIELD
