Virginia “Ginger” Rawling, 91, former longtime resident of Creamery Road in South Egremont, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020, at her home in Liverpool, New York. She moved to upstate New York in 2012 to be near her family.
Virginia was born June 19, 1928, in Greenfield, the daughter of the late Clarence and Ada (Alden) Steadler. She grew up in Dalton and Northfield before moving to South Egremont. Virginia was a graduate of Northfield School for Girls, Green Mountain College and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She retired at the age of 85, having taught physical education and computer science at Southern Berkshire Regional School District, Salisbury Central School and Farmington River Elementary School. Virginia coached Mount Everett High School girl’s junior varsity softball and Egremont Indians Little League for many years. She loved fishing and riding her Kawasaki 750 motorcycle.
Virginia is survived by her son Russell Rawling and wife Beth of Camillus, New York; grandson Jay Paika Rawling; sister Carolyn McElwain and husband William; and three nieces: Sally, Anne and Holly. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Richard A. Rawling; daughter Judith Rawling Paika and husband Inder Paika; and cousin Miriam Bellinger.
A memorial service celebrating the life of Virginia “Ginger” Rawling will be held Friday, April 24, 2020, at noon at FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME in Great Barrington. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be private. Donations in her memory may be made to either Mount Everett Softball or Great Barrington Little League c/o FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. To send remembrances to the family, go to www.finnertyandstevens.com.
