Virginia Perry Worcester

Virginia Perry Worcester (Ginny) of Southport, CT passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, October 21st after a year-long valiant battle with pancreatic cancer.  She was surrounded by her loving family.

Ginny’s beaming smile and tender heart shone light and love on everyone whose path she crossed.  A natural educator, Ginny was a beloved second grade teacher and coach at Greens Farms Academy in Westport, CT from 1998-2012, as well as the Varsity Sailing Coach at Fairfield University, Sacred Heart University, Staples High School and Fairfield Warde High School.  She taught with devotion for many years in the Children’s Department of her cherished Community Bible Study.  Following her teaching career, Ginny found her passion in elder care and earned her Certified Nursing Aide license.  Ginny had a special gift for taking care of people and inevitably developed deep friendships with those in her care.

An avid athlete and outdoorswoman, Ginny played team sports in high school and attended NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) during college where she developed a resiliency that inspired us all throughout her cancer journey.  Her true passion was being on the water.  She was a competitive sailboat racer and represented the U.S. three times in the Women’s Singlehanded World Championships in the 1980s, bringing home both a Silver and Bronze medal.  Ginny enthusiastically taught sailing to countless sailors of all ages and abilities and would happily take anyone out on the water.  Among others, she taught at Community Sailing of Fairfield and Pequot Yacht Club in Southport, was the Program Director at Norwalk Yacht Club and American Yacht Club in Rye, NY, and sailed at Black Rock Yacht Club (BRYC) where she has been a dedicated member since 2005.  This year BRYC awarded Ginny the McNeil Trophy - Commodore’s Prize for her positive impact.  Ginny held a strong teaching philosophy that promoted sportsmanship above all, and she was known for her ability to succeed both as a strong competitor and a respected sportswoman.  Overarching everything she believed in was Ginny’s steadfast spirituality and eternal optimism.

Ginny was born in Norwalk, CT on November 23, 1957, to Hop and Jan Perry of Southport, CT.  She graduated from Choate-Rosemary Hall in 1975 and Ohio Wesleyan University in 1979, and received her M.A. in Teaching and Foundations of Education from Fairfield University.  After college, she returned to the Fairfield area where she raised her family.  Ginny is survived by her two beautiful children, Scott C. Worcester of Myrtle Beach, SC and Jamie P. Worcester (Chris Ackell) of Winthrop, MA; her grandchildren Lucas and Sophie Worcester of Myrtle Beach SC; her siblings Dave Perry (Betsy) of Southport, CT, Laurie Perry Jones (Britton) of Norwalk, CT, Cyndi Perry of Marina, CA and Deborah Perry of West Roxbury, MA; and seven adoring nieces and nephews.  Ginny was predeceased by her sister, Susi Perry Nittler of Orinda, CA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Ginny’s name to “Community Sailing of Fairfield”, P.O. Box 553, Southport, CT 06890 or to The Lustgarten Foundation at www.lustgarten.org or by calling 1-866-789-1000.  A Celebration of Life service for Ginny will be held on Saturday, November 18th at 11:00am at Trinity Episcopal Church in Southport.