Virginia May (Shumway) Lofquist

            Virginia M. (Shumway) Lofquist of Fitchburg passed away Friday, October 19th in her home after a long illness.  She was born December 6th, 1927, daughter of Lewis E. and Bertha M. (Welterlen) Shumway. She leaves a daughter Susan. M. Lofquist of Fitchburg, a grandson Nicholas C. Valera of Leominster, a granddaughter Amy E. Valera of Somerville, and a granddaughter Emily S. Valera of Chelmsford.  She also leaves a great-grandson Tristan Riley Decker, of Chelmsford.  She was the widow of Marenius A. Lofquist who passed away in January of 2003.

            Virginia was an amateur genealogist and was proud to trace her heritage back to the Winthrop Fleet ships that arrived in Massachusetts in 1628.  She was also proud of three ancestors who served in the American Revolution, including Amasa Shumway of Belchertown and Nathaniel Jillson who signed the Association Test of 1776 in Richmond N.H.  His son David Jillson served as a life guard to General Benedict Arnold, and he was present in September 1780 when the traitor Arnold attempted to betray his forces at West Point into the hands of British forces. 

            Virginia was also very fond of the 1970’s rockabilly band Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen and could often be seen at The Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley hoisting a Blue Moon Belgian Ale as she enjoyed Bill Kirchen’s Honky-Tonk Holiday, The Commander Cody Band, and Asleep at the Wheel.  People would always come to her table after the concert to exclaim how much they enjoyed watching her enjoy the music.  She also loved her cats Willie, Riley and Pepe’ Le Pew, and enjoyed feeding the birds, sitting on the sunporch, and cooking.

A visitation period will be on Thursday October 25 from 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. in the Bosk Funeral Home 85 Blossom St. followed by burial in Forest Hill Cemetery..

            In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Pat Brody Shelter for Cats, P.O. Box 142, Lunenburg, MA. 01462.

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