Virginia Lee “Ginny” (Martin) Stoddard Wilks, 50, wife of John S. Wilks of Greenhaven Road, Pawcatuck, died at her home on Friday, July 17, 1998, following a long battle with cancer.
She was born August 1, 1947 in York, Pa, the daughter of Ruth (Wetzel) Martin Simons of Westerly and the late Charles R. Martin.
Raised in the New York metropolitan area, Mrs. Wilks moved to Westerly in 1974. she had lived in Pawcatuck since 1980.
She was a graduate of Mountain Lakes (NJ) High School and the University of Bridgeport. She had pursued graduate study in education at Eastern Connecticut State University.
Mrs. Wilks worked in the practice of Dr. John H. MacGowan for more than 20 years, in the Westerly, Mystic and Waterford offices, and was employed as office manger at the time of her death.
A communicant of Christ Episcopal Church, Westerly, since 1974, she had served as a Sunday School teacher, confirmation class mentor, choir mother, vestry member, assistant treasurer and member of the Altar Guild. She was also a regular staff volunteer at the church choir camp in Ogontz, NH.
She was a member of the church choir and clerk of the parish.
A past vice-president of the Chorus of Westerly, until her illness she had served as a singer and committee volunteer since 1982 and was a former member of the board.
An avid gardener and lover of horses, Mrs. Wilks trained in dressage with Bonnie Perreault and served on the board of directors of the nonprofit In-Harmony Therapeutic Riding Inc. of Ramroad Farm, Hopkinton.
In addition to her husband and mother, she is survived by a son, Scott H. Stoddard of Brighton, MA, and his fiancée Leah Eagan; a stepson, Thomas R. Wilks of Newington, CT, and a stepson and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Audra Wilks of Westerly; two brothers, Dean C. Martin of Westerly and James R. Martin of Essex, CT; her mother and father-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Wilks of Westerly, and several nieces and nephews.
There are no calling hours.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday at 2 pm in Christ Episcopal Church, Westerly.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Hospice of S.E. Connecticut, 7 Gallivan Lane, Montville, 06382, or to the Christ Church Scholarship Fund, Christ Church, 3 Elm St., Westerly, 02891.
The Buckler-Johnston Funeral Home, 121 Main St., is in charge of arrangements.
