Virginia R. McKinnon Obituary
Virginia R. (Frontiero) McKinnon, 95, was born in Gloucester, MA, on July 24, 1929, to Michael and Mary (Piscitello) Frontiero. She married Robert "Bob" McKinnon in November 1953 and lived in East Gloucester. Her family included seven children; two sons, five daughters, eight grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren who were regularly present to celebrate family dinners, events, and holidays.
Graduating from Gloucester High School in 1947 she was the chairperson of the annual class reunions. She completed classes at North Shore Community College and attended Endicott College to further her education.
She wore many hats over the years. She was a bookkeeper at Johnson Insurance and the YMCA, a district manager of World Book and Encyclopedia, teacher of library science in the local schools with her "Look it up Club", worked as a Project Home Start's home visitor, and Child Development home supervisor. Lastly, retiring from Senior Care Inc. in 2002 as a licensed social worker after 16 years of service.
She was actively involved in the Holy Family Parish as a lector and a Eucharist Minister for 20 years. She was a member of the Cursillo Community, Holy Family Guild, Mother of Grace Society, Gloucester Writer Center, Fishtails Open Mic, Gloucester Veterans Center Workshop, Senior Center Memoir Group and The Gloucester Stroke Club.
Virginia was an acclaimed writer. Her gift for writing allowed her to express her passion about her heritage and community. She began writing short essays that recorded family events and traditions. Good Morning Gloucester would welcome the stories she submitted and she had articles published in The Gloucester Daily Times and the Stroke Connection Digital Magazine.
On July 4, 2022 her book A Gloucester Fisherman's Daughter; Growing up Sicilian American in the Oldest Seaport in America was self-published at 93 years old. So far over 250 copies have been sold! You can find her book on Kindle. Dorothy Shubow Nelson's faith and dedication to her work was an inspiration to her writing. Roger Davis her editor to her book was instrumental in producing and editing her book.
Virginia was very appreciative of the hospice care of All Care and Senior Care, Inc. who made it possible for her to age in place in her beautiful home. She passed peacefully in her home surrounded by many family members.
She is survived by her family, sons, Hilary and Michael McKinnon; daughters, Lola and her husband Ralph Stanton, Mary-Ellen Burnham, Regina Laidlaw and Carol McKinnon, all of Gloucester. The grandchildren are James McKinnon and his wife Kathleen of Essex, David McKinnon and his wife Melissa of Rockport, Joel McKinnon and his wife Felicia, Robert Burnham and his wife Kayleigh, Cheryl Stanton, Christopher Stanton, Jessica Laidlaw and Jennie and her husband Nate Frost all of Gloucester Great grandchildren include Melissa McKinnon of Florida, Lukas, Riley, Benjamin and Elizabeth McKinnon, Jolie and Ryan Frary, Astrid Laidlaw, Alyssa Frost, Areya Burnham, and Roman Ventura; her brother, Paul Frontiero of Gloucester, twin sisters Mary Ann Beaton and Ida Doane and her husband Robert "Tink" of Essex; godson, Richard Doucette of Magnolia and many nieces and nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Robert; daughter, Roberta Wallace; parents, Mary (Piscitello) and Michael Frontiero; sister, Rosalie Doucette; brother-in-law, Richard Doucette; sister-in-law, Dorothy Frontiero; brother-in-law, Richard "Randy" Beaton; her father and mother-in-law; Hilary and Lola (Greek) McKinnon; and sister-in-law, Margaret McKinnon.
Visiting hours will be held in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, on Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 4-6 p.m. Mass will be celebrated in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, 142 Prospect Street, on Friday at 10 a.m. Burial to follow in Calvary Cemetery.
Remembrance may be made in her name to Holy Family Parish, 60 Prospect St., Gloucester, MA 01930.
