Virginia DuBois Blackall

Virginia DuBois Blackall, 85, died on June 10, 2022, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease, at Westerly Hospital, RI. 
She leaves behind her husband of 57 years, Brewster Blackall, their three children and spouses: William and Annelise Blackall of Scituate, MA, Caroline and Doug Lifgren of Cooperstown, NY and David and Rebecca Blackall of Portland, OR; grandchildren Kendall Lifgren, Noah Lifgren, Jillian Lifgren, Charlie Blackall and Finn Blackall; sister Caroline Hutton of Norwalk, CT, sisters-in-law Molly McKay, Martha Bunker, Helene Blackall and four nieces. She also leaves behind her beloved dog, Franz – last in a long line of canine companions stretching back to the 1940’s – who was a great source of comfort to her. 
Ginny was born in New York City to William and Barbara Castle DuBois, on May 24, 1937. Her family moved to New Canaan, CT in 1950.  She attended The Chapin School in New York, graduated from Foxhollow School in Lenox, MA, and attended Hollins College in Roanoke, VA.
Ginny and Brewster met in Stowe, VT.  They later settled in Farmington, CT to raise their children and were members of the Farmington Field Club and St. James Episcopal Church. Ginny served as the Director of Farmington Adult Education for many years.  
Ginny was an active and athletic woman.  During her teenage years she competed in many equestrian events throughout Fairfield County with her horse Torchwood. She was an accomplished skier and avid tennis player who won many tournaments at their summer home in Quonochontaug, RI.  These passions all carry on in her children and grandchildren.  
Ginny and Brewster cherished their summers in Rhode Island and moved there permanently ten years ago.  A lover of the theatre, especially musicals, she had season tickets to Goodspeed Opera House and would often be heard humming and singing show tunes around the house.  
While Parkinson’s curtailed her mobility, she loved the beach and nothing was better than sitting on the sand watching her children and grandchildren play.  She was a devoted mother and grandmother whose greatest joys came from the many games and activities she did with her family. Her dry sense of humor and impeccable sense of style will be greatly missed. 
Memorial contributions can be made in Ginny’s name to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or www.michaeljfox.org

A celebration of Ginny’s life will be held on Monday, July 25th at 11am at Christ Episcopal Church, 7 Elm St. Westerly, RI.

For online condolences, please visit www.buckler-johnston.com