Virginia Torney

Virginia Torney, 84, of Owls Head and Acton, passed away on Tuesday December 13, 2005 at the home of her daughter, Elizabeth and husband, Robert Mann in Acton after a courageous battle with mesothelioma. Ginny will always be remembered for her strong spirit and wit, and marvelous sense of humor.Ginny was born in Swampscot, MA on February 18, 1921 a daughter of Raymond and Ruth (Sleeper) Till. She attended school and lived in Woburn, MA. In 1938 she graduated from George Rogers Clark High School in Indiana and then attended Hammond Technical Institute. During those years she resided with her aunt and uncle, Margarite and Henry Sleeper. In 1940 she returned home to Maine and married Elmer S. Bird.Ginny was very active for many years in the Gray Ladies, nurses aides and the Red Cross blood program. For sixteen years she served as the chairman of the blood program. She also served many years as a Girl Scout leader and spent many hours sitting on the bleachers supporting her daughters in various sports and activities.In 1955 Ginny took up golf and sailing. She has always claimed to be "just an average golfer," "but a damn good sailor!"In 1970 she married Geoffrey B. Torney and they made their home at Windswept in Owls Head. In 1973 Ginny was the first woman commandore of the Rockland Yacht Club. She and Geoff sailed to Florida in 1979-80 aboard their 30foot Bristol, the "Sanderling" and lived on the boat for the winter. Ginny and Geoff also spent several years vacationing in the Bahamas.Ginny is survived by her husband, Geoffrey Torney of Owls Head and her two daughters, Elizabeth (Bird) Mann and her husband, Robert of Acton, Sidney Bird Richardson of Rockland and Portland. Two grandchildren, Marcella Makinen and Katy Mann, four great grandchildren, Tafari Hall, Mariah Mann, Nathaniel Mann and Mikela Makinen, two sisters, Elizabeth Earl of Spruce Head, Marilyn Campbell and her husband, Bruce of Hilton Head and one brother, Robert Till and his wife, Lillian of Marblehead, MA. She was predeceased by her grandson, Amos Bird Makinen.At Ginny's request there will be no visiting hours. There will be a memorial service at a later date for family and friends at her home of 50 years on North Shore Drive in Owls Head.Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Hospice of Southern Maine 901 Washington Avenue Portland, Maine 04103.Condolences may be expressed at the tab at left.