VIRGINIA A. HENDERSON (GRIKSHTAS)

     Virginia “Ginny” A. (Grikshtas) Henderson, 86 of Worcester passed away unexpectedly on Saturday May 21st at Umass Medical Center with her loving family at her side.Ginny is survived by her daughter, Ann (Henderson) Collette and her husband Robert of Arlington, VA; her nephew, Matthew Fedler and two nieces, Lynn Roseberry and Jean Beckner. Virginia was predeceased by her beloved husband Mark Henderson and also by her parents Frank and Anna (Glodis) Grikshtas.
Ginny, a lifelong resident of Worcester, was known for her intellect, graduating from Classical High school and continuing on to earn a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree from Clark University. Virginia’s passion for helping others led her to pursue a Nursing degree from Worcester City Hospital and further studies at Boston University where she earned credits toward a Master’s Degree in Nursing. After working for a time at City Hospital, Virginia eventually found her life’s calling as a professor of maternity and obstetrics nursing at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, where she taught for over twenty years before retiring in 1995.Virginia was an avid reader; there were few times that she did not have a book nearby. She especially loved to read about history, but also enjoyed a good novel. Virginia was a world traveler, some of her favorite trips were to Hawaii, Italy, Norway, and Lithuania (where she was able to see the homeland of her ancestors). Virginia was also a performing arts enthusiast, she especially enjoyed the opera and theatre. Virginia was a longtime member of the American Nurses Association and Massachusetts Nurses Association.
Friends and Relatives are invited to a time of visitation from 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 11, 2016 at MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester, MA. Following the conclusion of visitation, a cortege will depart from the funeral home to Saint Anne’s Church in Shrewsbury, where a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 o’clock a.m. Ginny will be interred with her late husband Mark Henderson at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton after the Mass.