Obituary: Virginia Finochetti, 77, of Arlington

The following is from DeVito Funeral Home.

Virginia M. (Gerrior) Finochetti, 77, of Arlington passed away on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014.

She was the beloved wife of the late Henry "John" Finochetti. Loving mother of John Finochetti of Arlington, Marie Hawley and her late husband Neil of Fredericksburg, Va., Aline Finn and her late husband John of Nashua, N.H., Carole Foley and husband Patrick of Arlington and Jean Clark and husband David of Arlington. Devoted grandmother to Sean, Daniel, Alexander, Coleen, Garrett, Taryn, Brian, Hunter, Meredith and Henry. Daughter of the late Lawrence and Mary Gerrior. She is also survived by her siblings, Sr. Mary Carmel Gerrior O.P. of Kentucky, Lawrence Gerrior and wife Dottie of Florida, Jeanne Martin of Woburn and Paul Gerrior of California and many nieces and nephews, and friend Maura. 

Born in Annapolis, Md., in 1937 and moved to Arlington at the age of three months. A graduate of Saint Agnes Elementary School, Matignon High School and Cardinal Cushing College in Brookline. After college she was employed by Baird-Atomic Research in Cambridge. In 1960 she and Henry married and began a family shortly thereafter, raising five children. 

Virginia was dedicated to family life and very involved in the Arlington community. Happy memories were made on family camping trips, homespun birthday parties and festive holiday gatherings - all with Virginia at the helm. Virginia was a life-long active member of the Saint Agnes Parish community, teaching religious education and serving as a lector. Together with Henry, she helped to manage the St. Camillus CYO Marching Band in the 1970s.  She was very active in both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts as a leader and den mother for all of her children. She and Henry bowled together for many years with the Knights of Columbus Bowing League.  

Virginia would consider her first profession as a mother and wife, but she helped support the family using her sewing talents, making slipcovers and draperies for many in the Arlington area. Eventually teaching others these skills as an instructor with the Arlington Adult Education program for over 20 years. 

Later in life after her children were grown and Henry departed, Virginia kept herself busy with new pursuits. She would spend winters in Palm Beach Shores on Singer Island in Florida and summers on Sebago Lake in Maine. There were exciting travels with her sisters to Hawaii, the Canadian Rockies and Alaska. She learned how to play golf and do yoga. For many years, Thursdays were spent bowling with the Arlington Women's Bowling league. She was also active with the Arlington Catholic Women's Club, at one time serving as president, and involved with a local Ladies Red Hat group.

Despite suffering a major stroke in 2007 which left her with Aphasia, a debilitating speech condition, Virginia was proud of her independent lifestyle. Until very recently she could be found walking through her beloved Arlington to attend church, visit the Senior Center or do her shopping. It wasn't unusual for her to take the T into Boston to attend speech and communication re-training groups at BU. She was a kind, energetic, faithful and loving women, who will be missed by her family and many others.    

A wake will be held on Thursday, Jan. 16, from 4-8 p.m. at DeVito Funeral Home, 1145 Mass. Ave., ARLINGTON, with a funeral service to be held at Saint Agnes Church at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 17. Internment to follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Virginia's memory to Saint Agnes Church, 50 Medford St., Arlington, MA 02474.