Waldoboro — Virginia Rita (Sawyer) Jackson, 98, died peacefully in her sleep April 15, 2015, at her home with her family at her side. She was born July 22, 1916, in Marlboro, Mass., daughter of Ernest Z. and Oretta G. (Marchand) Sawyer.

"Gin" grew up in Northborough, Mass., graduated from Northborough High School and worked with her father in the shoe factory, In his shoe-repair shop and his barber shop at various times. She was a second mother to "my babies," little sister, Betty, and little brother, Ernie. Gin learned to play the violin, being taught by her beloved grandfather, and enjoyed swimming in Solomon Pond with her siblings and friends, golfing and bowling at the family bowling alley, where she met her husband, Donald P. Jackson.

Gin married Donald on Nov. 20, 1941. They owned a farm in Shrewsbury, Mass., where they started their family, moving to Maine in 1955, and settling at the farm in North Waldoboro. She was well known in the area for her cooking (especially pies), her "championship" prowess (she won again!) at family and neighborhood Scrabble games right into her 90s, her willingness to help others, and her welcoming her kids and grandkids and their friends at the farm. Gin hosted many a summer cookout and the July 4th lobster bakes at the pond were a family and friends tradition for many years. She was also dedicated to her second family at the Waldoboro Button Factory, where she worked as secretary for 30+ years, retiring at the age of 75.

After retiring, she and Don golfed and traveled to many places in the U.S. and once to Scotland. She and Don were also longtime members of the Farm Bureau and the Maine Blueberry Association, as well as the Medomak Valley Land Trust. Gin continued to play golf into her late 80s and enjoyed watching it on television when not playing.

Virginia was predeceased by her parents; her husband; her daughter, Elizabeth Lorusso; her sisters, Corinne, Phyllis and Elizabeth; and great-grandson, Shane Drew.

Survivors are her son, Douglas (Barbara) Jackson of Florida; and four daughters, Donna Jackson of Arizona, Virginia (B. Thomas) Hodgkins of Jefferson, Barbara (Dewain) Wallace of Scarborough and Jude (Frank) Hatten of Indiana; four grandsons, Andrew (Catherine) Hodgkins of Japan, Terry (Libby) Mank of Florida, Matthew Jackson of South Portland and Patrick (Tess) Hodgkins of Louisiana; 10 granddaughters,  Joni Wells and Kristi (Rev. Ray) Hedgpath, all of Prospect, Karen (David) Drew and Denise (Shawn LaRoche) Daniel, all of New Hampshire, Arianne ( Charles) Frater of Florida, Alyssa Jackson of Indiana, Debra (Michael) Dean of Waldoboro, Sianne ( Matthew) Gendron of Durham, Lorielle (Robert) Barter of Waldoboro, and Aimee Bermudez and her fiance, Charlie Ely, of Pownall.

She is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren; seven great–great-grandchildren; her brother, Ernest Sawyer and sister-in-law, Evelyn Sawyer, of Northborough, Mass.; and her sister-in law, Nancy Overton of Jefferson; as well as 21 nieces and nephews. She was loved and will be missed by all.

The family would like to thank her special care-givers, Beverly Jewett, Gloria Luce and Gwen Galucki for their help caring for our Mom/Ma/Gram/Great Gram/Aunt Gin.

At Virginia's request, there will be no funeral. Private family gatherings of remembrance and celebration of her life will be held this summer.

To honor her long life in the community, Ginny Hodgkins invites friends and family to gather at the Orff's Corner Community Church in Waldoboro on Saturday, May 16 from 2 to 4 pm for a celebration of Virginia's life, followed by refreshments and fellowship.

If you wish to do so, please contribute to the Salvation Army, your local hospice organization, or a charity of your choice in her memory.

To share an online condolence, light a candle for Virginia, share a story or photo, please visit her Book of Memories at hallfuneralhomes.com.

Hall's of Waldoboro is caring for the family.