SOUTH EGREMONT, Mass. — Virginia "Ginger" Rawling, 91, former longtime resident of Creamery Road in South Egremont, Mass., passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, February 20, 2020, at her home in Liverpool, N.Y. She moved to Upstate New York in 2012 to be near her family.  

Virginia was born in Greenfield, Mass., on June 19, 1928, the daughter of the late Clarence and Ada (Alden) Steadler. She grew up in Dalton and Northfield before moving to South Egremont.

Virginia was a graduate of Northfield School for Girls, Green Mountain College and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She retired at the age of 85 having taught physical education and computer science at Southern Berkshire Regional School District, Salisbury Central and Farmington River Elementary School.

Virginia coached Mount Everett HS girls JV softball and Egremont Indians Little League for many years. She loved fishing and riding her Kawasaki 750 motorcycle.

Virginia is survived by her son, Russell Rawling and his wife Beth of Camillus, N.Y.; grandson Jay Paika Rawling; sister Carolyn McElwain and her husband William; and three nieces Sally, Anne and Holly.

She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Richard A. Rawling; daughter Judith Rawling Paika and her husband Inder Paika; and her cousin Miriam Bellinger.

Funeral notice: A memorial service celebrating the life of Virginia "Ginger" Rawling will be held on Friday, April 24, 2020, at noon at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington, Mass. Burial will be private. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.

Donations in her memory may be made to either Mt. Everett Softball or Great Barrington Little League c/o Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.