Virginia Burns Parkhurst

Virginia Burns Parkhurst, 100, of Sanford, Maine died March 7 after a long and wonderful life. She was born on April 21, 1913 in Philadelphia to Bishop Charles Wesley Burns and Laura Carson Burns.During her youth she and her family traveled throughout and lived in many areas of the United States. She had many wonderful experiences including being entertained at the White House by several presidents and meeting famous people such as Charles Lindburgh, Walt Disney and Gary Cooper.She attended the College of the Pacific and Wellesley College where she was graduated with aB.A. in Biblical History. She then attended Boston University where she received a Masters degree in Psychology.In 1938 she married Erwin Tyler Parkhurst, a graduate of M.I.T. They lived in Newton Center, Mass. where they raised three children. They were very active in community affairs including the American Cancer Society, UNICEF, and the Methodist Church. During those years the Parkhurst home was the center for many family-and- friends get-togethers and the family enjoyed many weekend and vacation visits to Hedding Camp Ground in New Hampshire and to their home on Cape Cod. They also took a very memorable family train trip across the country stopping at national parks and historic sites along the way.After Tyler died in 1965 Virginia began teaching at The Manville School at Judge Baker Guidance Center. In 1966 she was honored as Massachusetts Mother of the Year.In 1978 she moved to Sanford, Maine where she made many new friends and continued her teaching career at Nasson College, as a Special Education teacher at Sanford Junior High and teaching English as a Second Language to Cambodian students. In 1988 she was honored as Sanford Kiwanis Club's Citizen of the Year.After retiring from teaching she became an active volunteer at several area nursing homes presenting many programs to the residents and staff on a variety of wide ranging topics. She was an active member of North Parish Congregational Church and belonged to a number of clubs including College Club and Searchlight Club. Virginia was an avid reader, an engrossing story teller and poetry writer. On April 21, 2013 Virginia celebrated her 100th Birthday with a joyous gathering of family and friends.In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her brothers George Robert Burns and Charles Wesley Burns and her son Dr. Gordon Parkhurst. She leaves her sister Barbara Bucke, daughter Dr. Barbara McCall and her husband Dr. Ronald McCall, son Dr. Jonathan Parkhurst and his wife Judy Parkhurst, and her daughter in law Peggy Ginther and her husband Dan Ginther, eight grandchildren and14 great-grandchildren.A celebration of her life will be held at North Parish Congregational Church in Sanford on Saturday March 15 at 11 a.m. with the Reverend Diane Wendorf officiating.Donations may be made to the KID Fund at Franciscan Hospital for Children, 30 Warren Street, Brighton, Massachusetts 02135.Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale. Condolences can be expressed at the Condolences tab at left.