SKOWHEGAN – Virginia Ruth (Cook) McKenney, 83, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007, at Cedar Ridge Rehab and Nursing Center, Skowhegan. She was born Dec. 6, 1923, in Skowhegan, the daughter of Victor Ernest and Leona (Allen) Cook. Virginia grew up in Athens and attended Washington Grammer School and Somerset Academy. She married Bernard Walter McKenney, June 14, 1941, in Athens. Virginia spent most of her married life as a wife and mother and she also worked outside the home to help support her family. She was employed by Norwock Shoe Co., Lessard’s IGA and the First National grocery stores, Skowhegan, at various times. Virginia also owned and operated, along with her husband, Mrs. Mac’s Grill of the Lakewood Road, Madison, for several years. She was well known for her fried clams. She also assisted her husband with the Gordon Bernard community birthday calendars. Virginia and Bernard owned a camp on Kingsbury Pond for many years. The camp was built by her family and many wonderful times were had at camp. Virginia devoted many years to her family and friends. She spent many enjoyable winters in Georgia and Florida with her son, David and his wife, Lillian. Virginia was a charter member of Bush-Batcher Post No. 192 American Legion Auxiliary and later transferred her membership to Peters-Shortier Post No. 16 American Legion Auxiliary of Skowhegan. She is a 56-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church and Centenary United Women of Skowhegan, where she became a Stephen’s Minister. She was also a former member of Priscilla Rebekah Lodge, Skowhegan and the Abanaki Snow Riders Club, Madison. She is survived by her children, Carl McKenney and his wife, Gail, of Skowhegan, Donna Tozier and her husband, Donald, of Ocala, Fla., and Sidney, David McKenney and his wife, Lillian, of Madison and Robert McKenney and his wife, Donna, of Ellsworth; three brothers, Norman Cook and his wife, Cordelia, of Skowhegan, Richard Cook and his wife, Irene, of Canyon Lake, Texas, and Paul Cook and his wife, Barbara, of Etna; three sisters, Margaret LaFlamme of Gardiner, Eleanor Hart of Brewer and Ruth MacDougal and her husband, Donald, of Dexter; sisters-in-law, Frances Keaton and her husband, Malcolm, of Athens and Eleanor Fitzmaurice and her husband, Donald, of Cornville; brother-in-law, Edward Everett McKenney and his wife, Madeline, of Athens; 20 grandchildren, 32 great-grand-children, one great-great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, at Centenary United Methodist Church, Dr. Mann Road, Skowhegan. A burial service will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, at Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Civic Center Drive, Augusta. Arrangements are entrusted to Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan. Donations may be made in Virginia’s memory to Centenary United Methodist Church, 113 Dr. Mann Road, Skowhegan, ME 04976 or to Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 163 Mount Vernon Road, Augusta, ME 04330.
VIRGINIA RUTH (COOK) MCKENNEY
