Virginia Lynch Heard (Ginger)

Virginia Lynch Heard (Ginger), 96, beloved resident of Center Sandwich, NH, passed away peacefully on August 3rd, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was born on January 19th, 1928, in Atlanta Georgia, to the late Gen. Patrick and Dorothy Lynch.  

Ginger is survived by brother Richard Lynch and children Elizabeth, Georgia, Jacqueline, and Patricia. She was also a proud grandmother of five grandchildren: Peter, Leo, Rowan, Ailis, and Fiona. Ginger was a kind, generous person, and a parishioner of St. Andrews-in-the-Valley in Tamworth.  

She was educated at The College of William and Mary, American University and earned her Master of Library Science from Catholic University. She served as librarian in several educational settings and schools, enhancing the lives of generations of children, students, and her community for over 20 years. In 1980, she began restoration of an historic Sandwich property, which was her home for the next 40 years. Ginger had a strong sense of service; she was the Director of the Sandwich Historical Society and was appointed to the Commission on the Status of Women by Governor John Sununu. She was the state representative for the Carroll County District 3 from 2006-2008. 

The Sandwich Historical Society awarded Ginger the Sandwich Cane on June 29th, 2024, in recognition of being the oldest living resident of Center Sandwich. Because of Ginger’s heartfelt dedication to her community and friends, the town further proclaimed the day “Ginger Heard Day.” Ginger’s presence will continue to be felt through the many lives she touched and the lasting impact of her contributions to her community. She will be dearly missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved her.

• A celebration of Ginger’s life will be held at St. Andrews-in-the-Valley in Tamworth, NH on Saturday, August 24th at 10 am. On August 25th from 2 – 4 pm, family and friends are invited to gather and share their memories of Ginger at the Benz Center in Center Sandwich.
• 
  
• In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to St. Andrews-in-the-Valley and The Squam Lakes Conservation Society.