Virginia Winsor Kirby

Middletown, RI - Virginia Winsor Ward Kirby, 90, of 305 Turner Road, Middletown, RI, died Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at Newport Hospital, Newport, RI. She was the wife of Frederick T. Kirby. Born in Newport, RI on February 20, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Charles H. and Jenney Stoddard Ward. Mrs. Kirby was a graduate of Rogers High School. She was the office manager of the family business Fred T. Kirby and Sons for 65 years. Mrs. Kirby also worked as a bookkeeper at the Newport Creamery and as a Girl Scout leader. Virginia was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, as a member of the Choir, the church quilters and as a Sunday school teacher. She attended many functions at the Artillery Company of Newport with her husband, and received the Order of Molly Pitcher award. She was well known for the yearly Christmas parties she hosted for church members in her home. Besides her husband of 67 years, she is survived by her children, Marjorie K. Celico and her husband Richard J. Celico, Jr. of Westerly, RI, Alan Kirby and his wife Elaine G. Kirby of Middletown, RI, and Dane Kirby of Portsmouth, RI; her grandchildren Andrea C. Dumais and her husband Kenneth of Westerly, RI, and Holly J. Celico-Lee and her husband David R. Lee of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and two nieces and three nephews. She was the sister of the late Abner Ward and Richard Ward. Her funeral will be held on Friday, September 21, 2007, at 11:00am in First Presbyterian Church, Broadway and Everett, Newport. Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown.Calling hours will be held on Thursday, September 20, 2007, from 5-7 in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport. Donations in her memory may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Broadway and Everett, Newport, RI 02840 or to Visiting Nurse Services of Newport Bristol Counties, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.