Virginia Montella's Obituary
Virginia “Ginny” Montella passed away peacefully of natural causes in the presence of loving family and friends in early December in her 91st year after a brief illness. Ginny lived a full and purposeful life filled with many longtime friends from varying walks of life. She was born in a neighborhood of the city of Boston, and from childhood became enamored of the performing arts with a particular love of music. She was first introduced to the stage performing as an “extra” at the Boston Opera House which happened to be on the patrol of her father, a Boston police sergeant. Ginny was a gifted singer who began vocal training at a young age.
Ginny graduated from secretarial school in Boston and worked for several years at Catholic Charities. She married Ennis “Ernie” Montella whom she first met at Moseley’s on the Charles where they both enjoyed dancing to big band music such as Duke Ellington and Harry James. When their two daughters were school age, Ginny returned to work at a local radio station where she wrote copy and provided commercial voice-over for local advertisers. During these years, Ginny used her beautiful singing voice and acting talent on stage at the Garrett Players, a vibrant community theater that she co-founded in 1962 with other talented actors in the Merrimack Valley. Ginny passed the gift of her love and appreciation of the performing arts to her two girls.
With Ernie’s encouragement, Ginny began higher education at Merrimack College at the same time that her daughters entered college. There she studied humanities and psychology, graduating as the first ranking student in the division of Social Sciences. She went on to earn a Master’s degree in Social Work from Boston University and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She worked in a variety of settings, and found greatest fulfillment in private practice which she continued for many years until her retirement.
Ginny had many interests and many treasured friendships as she was a true and loyal friend herself. She formed friendships in whatever setting she found herself and with neighbors wherever she lived. As an active member of Garden Club, she gathered friends and indulged her appreciation of beauty in nature. She loved all animals but most especially cats, good books, good food no matter how exotic, and had a penchant for exploring new places as well as returning to her all-time favorite, Cape Cod. She was generous in sharing these interests with whomever was keen to embark on the adventure. And she maintained a healing heart which she opened to anyone in need.
Ginny was active over many years in the North Parish Church where she served as a volunteer, made lasting friendships, co-chaired the Worship Committee, and sang in the choir. In her later years, Ginny enjoyed travelling, music concerts, and the freedom to embrace the enjoyment of life with decreasing hesitation - sharing those quests with her treasured friend of 30 years, Jean Hoegger, and sharing the gift of caring during the last years of Jean’s life.
Ginny is survived by her two daughters, Sharon Montella and Diane Montella, and was predeceased by her husband, Ennis J. Montella.
Much gratitude goes to her many devoted relatives, friends and caregivers who assisted Ginny with excellent skill, compassion and friendship in her later years at home where she lived with her beloved cats.
A memorial service for Ginny will be held on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at 1pm in the Sanctuary (main chapel) at the North Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 190 Academy Road in the historic Old Center of North Andover, MA. Refreshments will follow in the church hall immediately after the service.
Any gift in Ginny’s memory would be welcome at the North Parish Church, 190 Academy Road, North Andover, MA 01845, [email protected], and at the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society, 63 Elm St, Salisbury, MA 01952, https://mrfrs.org
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