Virginia Porter Carpenter's Obituary
Virginia Porter Carpenter, 102, longtime resident of the Annapolis and Edgewater area and former Office Manager for the Annapolis OB GYN Associates previously located at 95 Cathedral Street, died on February 20, 2018.
Mrs. Carpenter was born Laura Virginia Blankenship on March 28, 1915 in Portsmouth, Virginia. She graduated from the Kee Business School in 1935 and began her career with the Interstate Commerce Commission – Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C. and subsequently at the Federal Securities Social Security Board in Baltimore, Maryland as a keypunch operator and Correspondence Editor. Upon her return to Portsmouth, Virginia, she was employed by the Norfolk Naval Yard.
Mrs. Carpenter relocated to the Annapolis area in 1946. She worked for the Triest Manufacturing Company located at Lee Airport in Edgewater. In 1958, Mrs. Carpenter was employed by the United States Naval Academy in Civilian Payroll and as a Cost and Stock Control Analyst directly accountable to the Superintendent of the Academy. She continued to work part-time at Anne Arundel Hospital in the business office. In 1963, Mrs. Carpenter was hired to manage the office of Annapolis OB GYN on Cathedral Street where she worked until her retirement in 1984. Mrs. Carpenter was selected for “Who’s Who in Maryland” in 1974.
Mrs. Carpenter was active civically in Annapolis as well as the Edgewater Beach community where she resided for more than forty years. She was a charter member of the American Business Woman’s Association and was chosen Woman of the Year in 1979 and Boss of the Year in 1980. She was a Past Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star Chapter #46 and Past Guardian of Job’s Daughters Chapter #49. Mrs. Carpenter was a charter member of the Anne Arundel Chapter of Medical Assistants and was appointed by Governor Marvin Mandel to the Advisory Board at Crownsville Hospital in 1975. She served on the Secretarial Science Advisory Committee at Anne Arundel Community College and was active in the Severn Town Club where she was a member for 62 years. She was a member of the Powerettes, Cedarettes, Optimists, and Edgewater Beachettes where she served as board secretary as well as on various community committees. She was an active member of the Lions Club where she was presented as a Melvin Jones Fellow in 2006. She received recognition for her service to the American Cancer Society, Red Cross, and Girls Scouts.
Virginia, or “Ginny” as so many of her friends and family called her, was admired and loved for her engaging personality and her generous and encouraging attitude toward others. She made longtime friends throughout her life both professionally and personally. She was a passionate gardener with a green thumb – making her Poinsettias bloom year after year. She frequently won awards for her May Baskets and flower displays. She decorated for every holiday both at home and at work making each event festive and meaningful for her children and friends. She enjoyed boating, fishing, crabbing, making candy and ceramics. She was an avid reader and an accomplished painter, giving away most of her paintings as gifts. She loved and enjoyed her time with friends and family and always lived her life with humor and a positive spirit. Virginia set high goals for herself throughout her life and achieved success in every aspect of her life as evidence by her many awards and accolades through her work and community participation. She was an inspiration to her family and friends on how to live life to the fullest, how to make the most of everyday, and how to see the beauty in the world around us.
She is survived by her three daughters and their spouses: Carol Jean Radebach (Robert) of Marysville, Pennsylvania, Brenda Porter Burns (Tony Hall) of Arlington, Virginia, Patricia DiBenedetto (Alex) of Annapolis, Maryland; four grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren, who knew her as 'Gigi.'
Virginia leaves behind many special friends. Her family would like to acknowledge, with special appreciation, George Costello, whom she referred to her as her “adopted son,” and his wife Pam, for their unfailing support, friendship, and love throughout her life.
A private memorial will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution in Virginia Carpenter's name to The Annapolis Lions' Club, P.O. Box 6446, Annapolis, MD 21401.
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