Ginny Halligan, 87, died peacefully on August 13, 2023.

A formidable woman to the very end, Ginny lived a full life centered on her three true loves: her husband Sid, her children and their children, and music.

Ginny (Virginia) and her husband Sid traveled the world following their marriage in 1956, living in England and France, with their four young daughters, Lisa, Sara,
Nora and Mary Anne. When their fifth child was on the way — their son Jere — they moved back to the U.S. and settled in Sudbury, Mass., for many years. After that, they made the move to Bridgton, for the next 30 years, and Ginny spent a year in Conway, N.H., before finishing her life back in Sudbury, close to her family.

Ginny was born and raised in Iowa with her sister Rosalie Heeseman, and perhaps thanks to her travels, developed into a dashingly stylish dresser. Never leaving the house without a fresh application of lipstick, and experimenting throughout the years with all sorts of fashionable haircuts, she was always put together and looked beautiful. She loved to make crafts and sew. She loved late-night popcorn binges, and was quite tech savvy (and not just “for her age”). She loved unconditionally, and had always had room for more in her heart.

Her husband Sid Halligan was her first love; after a wonderful 57-year life together, he faced a devastating battle with Alzheimer’s. Ginny cared for Sid in a protective, comprehensive way from the beginning until the end, and put many of her own plans and ambitions on hold to do so. When Sid passed away in 2013, she had a new energy and joy to share with her loved ones.

Ginny’s family was her second love. Known as “Nina” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she made it a priority to find the time for as many phone calls, visits and text messages as we could send her way. She created a unique and special relationship with each person in her family — and was current with each of our lives.

Music was her third love; she played the flute beautifully throughout her whole life, until this year, when she was unable to play any longer. She loved to entertain her family, friends — and total strangers — with music. She was a member of the Bridgton Community Band for many years, and a founding member of the Lake Region Community Chorus.

Ginny was the kind of woman who made friends wherever she went, because she could talk to anyone — and she also knew how to listen. Those who had the good fortune to be Ginny’s friend or family member will know this — she made each of us feel important, valuable and good. That was her gift to her family and her community.

A Christian Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at The Ascension Parish in Sudbury, Mass.

Ginny is survived by her five children, Lisa Ferguson (Jacque), Sara Schiavi (Michael), Nora McRae (Phil), Mary Anne Halligan (Jorge Paz) and Jere Halligan (Michael Moore), her 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, with more on the way!

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Stepping Stone of San Diego (steppingstonesd.org/ginny).