Ginny was born in 1929 in Eldon, Missouri, to Ethel Rose Winterton Scott and Henry Clay Scott. She graduated from Mamaroneck High School, New York; and Elmira College, cum laude, with a major in music. While at Elmira, she met the love of her life, Duane Dittman, at a joint concert with the Colgate University Glee Club. Her parents; siblings; husband; son, Douglas Alan Dittman; and beloved canine companion, BlackBerry, “the French gentleman,” all preceded her in death.

Duane’s career took them to Colgate University, St. Lawrence University, Davidson College and the College of William & Mary. At his retirement, they were honored together for their service to William & Mary with the establishing of the Duane A. and Virginia S. Dittman Professorship of American Studies.

Ginny’s highest priority and best accomplishments were raising four healthy, loving and engaged children, her “blue-chip stocks,” despite their many attempts over the years to drive her crazy.

Ginny’s surviving family include children, Donna Dittman Hale with Ted Hale in Williamsburg; Sharon Jeanne Dittman with Roz Kenworthy in Ithaca, New York; and Scott Dittman with Susan Dittman in Lexington. She dearly loved her four grandchildren, Sarah Anne Kibler with Josh Kibler; Griffin Hope Shortes with Greg Shortes; Clay Dittman with Sara Dittman; and Wilson Brian Hale with Sierra Wilson. Getting to know her eight great-grandchildren brought her joy and pride. She held a special place in her heart for nieces, Debbie Boisvert and Ginny Packer; and her “sister by choice,” Diane Stephenson.

An enthusiastic lifelong learner and inveterate organizer, Ginny loved reading, crosswords, her iPad and travel with family and friends. The hospitality of her “table,” whether for parties, games, dinner at home or in the Williamsburg Landing dining room, included people who were well-loved, well-known, new to the community or who just needed a friend.

Music was an integral part of her life throughout, with singalongs around the piano and organ; public performances in church and school; as a pregnant fairy in Iolanthe; and with the St. Lawrence University Community Chorus, Canton, New York, Oratorio Singers of Charlotte, North Carolina, and the Williamsburg Choral Guild. And she accompanied uncounted children’s concerts, musicals and choirs on piano.

Ginny was an active volunteer throughout her life in helping to improve the communities she called home. Among many other roles, she served as a Red Cross volunteer; Presbyterian elder and deacon; volunteer at Colonial Williamsburg; and member of the Williamsburg Landing Residents’ Council. She was president of the Canton Hospital Guild and of the Williamsburg Community Hospital Auxiliary; board member of Hospice House & Support Care-Williamsburg; Williamsburg Community Health Foundation; and the Williamsburg Community Hospital, where she was the first woman to serve in that role.

Ginny recognized a need among people undergoing chemo treatments, so she organized a group of local knitters who donated thousands of handmade “chemo caps.” She was recognized in 2008 by both Women With A Cause and the United Way for coordinating this compassionate effort.

Ginny also shared what she knew from the pain of losing her son and her husband through her long commitment to the work of end-of-life planning and hospice care. The family is especially grateful for the support of Heartland Hospice through the last weeks of her life.

If you want to celebrate this life well-lived, Ginny hoped that you would find ways to support the work of the Hospice House & Support Care-Williamsburg, 4445 Powhatan Parkway, Williamsburg, VA 23188; Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 215 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185; or any organization that strives to make our world a kinder place.