Virginia Heaton Hall

Virginia Heaton Hall passed away peacefully at dawn on Thursday, April 4, 2008, at the Merriman House in North Conway. She was born July 10, 1917, in Richmond, Va., the daughter of Frederick and Agnes Heaton, who are buried at St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y. Ginny spent the majority of her youth at Avondale Estates in Decatur, Ga. She was brought up to be the quintessential Southern Belle parsley on the plates, fried chicken served on a silver platter. She wore gloves and hats. She did not own one pair of slacks.She attended St. Lawrence for one year and left her sophomore year due to failing eyesight, but not before she was introduced briefly to a senior named Dean Hall. She went on to attend the Fannie Farmer School of Cookery in Boston. Three years later, she received a call from that same Dean Hall who was now working in Boston. They met for dinner at the Parker House, and three months later in August of 1939 they were married. He had never forgotten how beautiful she was. They would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary this August.They moved to Melrose, Mass., to bring up their three daughters. Virginia was an incredible seamstress and loved to do counted cross-stitch. She was unbelievable. Her daughters' prom gowns were the envy of Melrose High School.In 1965, the family moved to Burlington, Vt., and opened Halls Card Shop. Virginia was clerk, cleaning lady, inventory keeper, buyer and cracker of the whip. She had found her niche.Virginia and Dean finally retired to Florida in 1978. Dean became ill with progressive supra nuclear palsy in 1992. It is a debilitating disease, and Virginia was the most loving caregiver ever. She was constantly tending to her husband, rarely slept and never complained. He passed away in 1997.Virginia then moved to New Hampshire, and became a resident of Merriman House in January of 2003. A memorial service will be held at the Merriman House in the near future.She leaves behind her brother Richard Heaton and his family of North Carolina; her daughter Ann Hall, of Salem, Mass. and Ann's four boys, Joe, Michael, Rob and David and their families; her daughter Barbara Johnson of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., and Barbara's daughter Katie and husband Daren, with their newborn, Michael Dean; her daughter Susan Hall-Kennett of North Conway and Susan's daughter, Beth Kennett. In all, she has six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren who will miss her terribly.In lieu of flowers, please extend gratitude and thanks to the staff at Merriman House and to all those who lovingly care for Virginia and Dean. They are the best on earth. A memorial service will be held at the Merriman House in the near future.Also, give your Mom a huganybodys Mom a hug make it two.