Virginia Felten Masterson, age 92, stepped peacefully into Eternity while in the presence of family on April 30, 2022 in Lakeside at Willow Valley, in Willow Street, PA. She was the loving wife of the late James Everett Masterson to whom she was married for 67 years.
Born in Sheboygan, WI, on May 9, 1929, Virginia “Ginny” was the daughter of the late William and Matilda Rudy Felten and was the fourth of six children.
Virginia was a gifted student and leader from a young age. She was a graduate of Central High School in Sheboygan, WI where she was elected the first female President of the school, President of the Senior Council and Honor Society, and gave the Valedictorian Commencement Address at graduation. She earned numerous trophies in Debate for Central High School in 1947, including First Place at Nationals. Ginny graduated from Wheaton College in three years with a B.A. degree in Sociology in 1951.
On August 26, 1950, Ginny married James “Jim” Everett Masterson in a triple wedding with two of her sisters, Arlie and Frannie. After graduation, Jim and Ginny moved to New Jersey in 1951 where they were active in Woodside Chapel. After experiencing the loss of twin identical boys, they were thrilled to be blessed with their four children, Robert, David, Lois & Carolyn.
Her husband Jim then purchased a Distributorship license with ServiceMaster in1960 and moved the family from NJ to CT. Together, he and Ginny were active partners in the business, growing to six branches and 47 franchises in Westchester County, NY, CT, RI and MA. The name ServiceMaster had dual meaning; service to the Master, Jesus Christ and being masters of service. After 30 years they sold their business and moved to the Willow Valley Retirement Community and made Grace Community Church their place of worship.
Music remained an important part of her life as Ginny sang in a quartet with 3 of her sisters in hospitals, on the radio and in nursing homes. She was a self-taught organist and enjoyed singing hymns and playing on their antique pump organ. She and Jim shared their love of music by singing duets, being members of choir in the churches they attended and sang in the Willow Valley chorus.
Ginny and Jim’s favorite place was their log cabin in the Adirondacks where their family vacationed for over 60 years. They spent each winter and spring at Willow Valley and the summer and fall up at the cabin. Surrounded by God’s beautiful creation, they enjoyed many outdoor activities including, bird watching, hiking down Mutti’s trail, fishing, canoeing, swimming and skiing, snowshoeing and skating in the winter months. The cabin was built with a vision for being a place for family to gather—to play games, experience nature, and make meaningful memories. It also allowed many friends and families to join them for fellowship, rest, and recreation each year. It gave Ginny fresh competition with board games, especially
Scrabble
and
Rummikub,
which she was famous for winning. Her other interests included gardening, hospitality, cooking, traveling, and reading.
She shared her faith as a gifted teacher of Sunday school, neighborhood Bible studies, Christian Women’s Club in NJ and CT, and a Ladies Bible Class in PA for over 15 years. She also was a mentor to many women throughout her life. Ginny had a heart for missions and also served on the Africa Inland Mission board.
Two of Ginny’s favorite verses were:
“They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 41:10
“You will keep
him
in perfect peace,
Whose
mind
is
stayed
on You,
Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3
Ginny’s faith and love for Jesus Christ impacted all those fortunate to know her. She knew God’s Word and lived by its truths to the very end. She is now in the presence of the Lord and will be deeply missed by all. She at last is reunited with her “King James”—her beloved husband and faithful partner for 67 years.
Ginny is survived by her 4 married children: Robert C., husband of Priscilla Masterson of South Hamilton, MA, David L., husband of Rachele Masterson of Aberdeen NC, Lois E., wife of James Wills of Pawcatuck, CT, and Carolyn J., wife of Mark Kinzer of Kijabe,Kenya, Africa. She is also the beloved “Mutti” to 15 grandchildren, and 28 great grandchildren; and her siblings: Frances, wife of the late Clifford Leonard, Arlisle, wife of Gilbert Beers, William, husband of the late Doris Felten, and Joyce, wife of Dave Detert.
A Celebration of Life Service is planned for Friday, August 5, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in Groton, CT at the Groton Bible Chapel, 66 Toll Gate Road, Groton, CT 06340. The service will be livestreamed so those unable to travel will have an opportunity to “attend” in this way.
Here are the details to watch the service from your home:
The direct link to the video is not available until it starts. The link below is what Groton Bible Chapel uses to currently stream live. This means that when you visit the link it says the video is not available but once the video goes live (usually about 10-15 minutes before the service starts) then opening this link will show the live stream.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/live_stream?channel=UC28m_3V-lmLMuxPqQSACjYQ
For those from the Willow Valley Community
the service will be shown in the Lakes auditorium on August 5th at 11:00 a.m. The prelude & Ginny’s life in pictures will be shown prior to the start of the service at 11:00 a.m. It is suggested you come at 10:45 if you want to view this. Her friends at WV were such a blessing and we are thankful you can gather to honor mom’s memory with your presence together on that day. Thank you for filling her heart and life with so much love & friendship.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be given in Ginny’s honor to Deerfoot Lodge, to the Masterson Memorial fund.
https://deerfoot.org/get-involved/contribute/
(under memorial contributions). Or if you prefer mail to Deerfoot Lodge, PO Box 228, Speculator, NY 12164. A note that this is in memory of Ginny will properly allocate the gift. This Christian boys camp on Lake Whitaker where their cabin is located, has helped to shape 4 generations of Masterson boys and many other young men to know and follow Jesus.
To God be the glory!