Virginia Howland

Virginia G. "Ginny" Howland died peacefully on June 14 at the young age of 66. She passed in her sleep surrounded by her loving family after a courageous, four month battle with cancer.

Born in Malden on February 16, 1956, Ginny was the daughter of the late Walter and Barbara (Meuse) LeBlanc. She was the beloved wife of David R. Howland. She was the loving mother of Benjamin Howland and wife Jaclyn Milne of Wakefield; Jeffrey Howland of Danvers; and Jill Amato and husband Andrew of Kingston. She was the adoring grandmother of Abigail, Hailey, and Brooke Amato. She was the devoted sister of Walter LeBlanc; Stephen LeBlanc; Linda LeBlanc and Alfred Wolsky; Debra and Brian Kilinski; Barbara Jean LeBlanc; Bill LeBlanc; John LeBlanc; Leo LeBlanc; Denise Tewksbury; and her late brother Richard. She is also survived by her Uncle Joe Meuse; and many more nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Ginny was raised in Melrose and was a graduate of Melrose High School. She met and married the love of her life, David, shortly after high school and they wed in 1976. Together, they built a beautiful family and shared over 46 years in their married home.

A longtime resident of Danvers, Ginny held many jobs while raising her three children, from waitressing at Kings Grant and the Danvers Port Yacht Club, to her own in-home daycare, to Murphy's Fruit Mart and the Home Depot.

She was heavily involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren. She was a den mother for her sons and youth soccer coach for her daughter. She was known all around town for her station wagon, always filled to the brim with kids heading to or from school or soccer practice. On top of that, she always made the time to help neighbors who needed an extra hand. And for her grandchildren, she would drive 60 miles to their house any time of day, in any weather, for any reason at all.

Ginny was truly a jack of all trades. When her oldest son enrolled in University, Ginny decided to follow suit. She attended Salem State College and studied computer science. She was also as gifted with a pair of crochet needles as she was with a table saw. Throughout her life, she attended many craft fairs where she could share her talents with others, but her most prized works of art were gifted to those she loved.

Most of all, Ginny is remembered as a selfless and compassionate caretaker. Her son, Jeffrey, born with Renpenning syndrome, was unconditionally loved, cared for, and protected. More recently, and prior to her own cancer diagnosis, Ginny spent six years as a caretaker to her own mother who struggled with dementia. There will never be enough words to capture her giving spirit, but those who know her best know she would go to the end of the earth for those she loved, and never expect a thing in return.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Avenue, Wakefield on Friday, June 17 from 4-7pm. A memorial service will be held at the same location on Saturday, June 18 at 10:30am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in support of our military and veterans to Fisher House Foundation: 12300 Twinbrook Pkwy Suite 410, Rockville, MD 20852.

Friday, June 17
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

McDonald Funeral Home
19 Yale Ave
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-3550

Saturday, June 18
10:30 AM

McDonald Funeral Home
19 Yale Ave
Wakefield, MA 01880