Hadley, Virginia MacMillan Kendall died of ovarian cancer at her home in Hadley on Tuesday, August 16, 2016. 

Ginny was born on December 26, 1929 in Framingham MA to Ruth and Murray MacMillan.  She grew up in New York State and worked for a time in NYC, where she met her husband of 61 years, Ralph “Nick” Kendall. 

Although she had several jobs, her favorite career – and that of which she was most proud – was being “a mother of two amazing, spectacular daughters,” Susie and Cyn who were, in her words, “my gift to the world.” 

After working for six years as Assistant Director of Admissions at Hampshire College, Ginny spent her time volunteering first as a breast cancer advocate and then, following 9/11, with Red Cross Disaster Relief, traveling across the country to assist those in need following natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. 

Some of her many other interests and volunteer experiences include the Hospice Shop in Northampton, Habitat for Humanity, Opportunities for Communities, Not for Bread Alone, as well as countless volunteer excursions with her daughter, Cyn.  She was active as a Hospice volunteer, participated in Relay for Life, and was passionate about the environment and politics. 

Ginny loved traveling to Cape Cod as well as different continents.  She felt privileged to be able to travel to different parts of the world such as Africa, Thailand, New Zealand, and Australia.  There were summer trips to the Cape with Nick, Susie, Cyn and her sister’s family during the 1960s and 1970s; following the purchase of a cottage on MacCallum’s Point on Prince Edward Island, summer vacations shifted north across the Canadian border. 

A staunch supporter of those in need and a fierce friend, Ginny left her indelible mark on the world.  She was an active member of the Travelers’ Tea, her book group, and Caring Companions through First Congregational Church.  She lived her entire life with grace, dignity, and integrity; she loved deeply and with unequivocal commitment. 

Ginny is survived by her husband, Ralph (Nick); her daughters, Susie Carlisle and her husband Mark, and Cyn Kendall and her husband Jim Barbaro; her “adopted” son Paul Greenfield, from Australia; her sister, Janice; her grandchildren Heather, Meredith and her husband Jarrod Colicchie, Andrew and his wife Meg, Chaeli, and Noah; and her great-granddaughter Piper.   

A memorial service in celebration of Ginny’s life will be held on Saturday, August 27 at 1 pm at First Congregational Church in Amherst (colorful clothing, please!).  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Amherst Survival Center (138 Sunderland Rd., North Amherst, MA) or Opportunities for Communities (260 Lincoln Avenue, Amherst MA).