Obituary of Virginia R. Colbeth

COLBETH, Virginia "Ginny" of Ridgewood, passed away on Wednesday, November 25, 2015. Born in Jamaica, Queens, New York on October 23, 1927, to Eugene and Mildred (Schuchhardt) Colbeth, she lived 86 of her 88 years in the house her father built. Ginny was graduated from Ridgewood High School in the Class of 1945, from Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, OH in the Class of 1949 and earned a Masters of Education from Columbia University. She taught Physical Education at The Barnard School for Girls in New York City before beginning her 42 year career as a Science teacher at Benjamin Franklin Junior High School in Ridgewood. There she became famous for the lyrics she re-wrote to popular songs detailing the careers of innumerable retirees. Ginny was a life-long member of the Ridgewood Methodist Church, singing in the choir, playing the bells and serving on many committees. As much as she loved teaching, she loved her summers at Groton Long Point, CT, even more. As a teenager, she waited table at The Farmhouse Inn. As an adult, she volunteered in the Boat House at Mystic Seaport, and was a life-long member of the Noank Baptist Church. In her retirement, Ginny served her community by volunteering at Valley Hospital's Kurth Cottage, reading to kindergarten students and working at the annual book fair sponsored by the Ridgewood College Club. As a young woman out of college, Ginny embraced the post-war dynamic of an independent, single woman. She skied in Europe, traveled cross-country in a VW Beetle with a frying pan and a friend, and drove her little Karman Ghia into New York City, Brooklyn and the surrounding boroughs to concerts and events without a backward glance. Ginny was a positive force in so many lives; encouraging, supporting and believing in the abilities of everyone she'd ever met. Many people remember her each year at this time when they hang their personalized red, white and green Christmas stocking by the chimney. She was the loving sister of Evelyn (John) Plunkett, a loving aunt to Sue Plunkett Fasano, John (Julia) Plunkett, and Jim (Michelle) Plunkett. She was also a loving great aunt to Trisha and Joe Fasano, John and Kevin Plunkett, Josh (Brianne) Stone, Matt Jobin, Ashleigh Jobin, her fiancé, Jeremy Andrews, and their son, Mason, as well as great-great niece and nephew, Emma and Asher Stone. The burial will be a private. A memorial service will be held at 2PM on Friday, December 11, at The Ridgewood Methodist Church, Dayton Street, Ridgewood. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. For additional information, condolences or directions please visit Oaklandmemorial.com