Surry
Virginia (Ginny) Dawn Hawrylycz died peacefully in her sleep on July 26, 2022, at age 89. Virginia was born of Ina Farnsworth Kane and Udolph Kane on Aug. 17, 1932, in Ellsworth. She grew up in Surry, where her father and uncle owned Kane Brothers store, and later in Cherryfield.
Ginny attended grade school at the old Surry School and graduated valedictorian from the Cherryfield Academy in 1950 and Colby College in Waterville in 1954, with honors. After college she moved to Connecticut to work for two years at the Travelers insurance company. She married her loving husband of 44 years, John Hawrylycz, in 1956 in New Britain, Conn. Virginia was a dedicated elementary public-school teacher in the Southington, Conn., school system for over 27 years. She completed her master’s degree in education from Central Connecticut University in 1972. Desiring to return to Maine, she and her husband returned to Surry in 1996, where she lived for nearly 26 years.
As a longtime Surry resident, Ginny was an active community member in town events and politics with many beloved and supportive friends. She became interested in politics when her Colby history professor became Edmund Muskie’s campaign manager, and she was active in the Surry Democratic Party for many years, also serving as town Democratic chair for four years. A series of political-themed poems published in The Ellsworth American and Blue Hill Daily Packet between 2018 and 2021 were collected and popular with friends.
An avid reader, collector, croquet player and gardener, Ginny was active in senior education and outings, treasurer of the Surry Garden Club and active in the Historical Society. She was a board member and served on the curriculum committee for the Downeast Senior College. Also known for her humor and wit, she hosted many social, book club and game events, and was an unwavering Boston Red Sox fan.
Dedicated to her family and many friends, Ginny traveled extensively with her husband and later with her children. Virginia was predeceased by her husband, John, in March 2000 and is survived by her daughter Debbie Brushie of Surry, grandson John Brushie of York and son Michael Hawrylycz and daughter-in-law Amy Beegle of Seattle, Wash. Condolences to the family may be mailed to 17 Sea Heather Lane, Surry, ME 04684.