VIRGINIA BREWER FOLINO MIDDLEBURY — Virginia “Bobo“ Folino, age 85, passed away on Sept. 1, 2012, in the Lodge at Otter Creek, in Middlebury.
Born and raised in Waterville, Maine, Virginia Rae Brewer was the youngest of four daughters born to Ora and Bessie Brewer. As a little girl, she was unable to pronounce her last name (Brewer) and called herself “Ginny Bobo“, which was shortened to just “Bobo“.
She attended Colby College and graduated in 1948 with a degree in art.
It was at Colby that she met and married Francis “Buddy“ Folino, her husband of 64 years. She studied for classes at Colby, using Buddy’s copious class notes, then to his disbelief, would proudly get better grades than he. Following graduation, she and Buddy moved to Vermont where they raised five children in Burlington and Essex Junction. In addition, she taught art to young people at the Fleming Museum and the Essex Junction schools.
In 1981, she and Buddy moved to a small farm in Grand Isle, where they raised sheep, grew apples, and she cultivated her artistic abilities. Her skills were broad, and ranged from photography to watercolor, animation, and collage. She won numerous awards for her artwork in various media, and traveled widely, including trips to Europe, Russia, Central America and Africa.
In 1991, Bobo and Buddy moved to the small coastal fishing town of Stonington, Maine. In Stonington, she opened an art gallery called “Virginia’s Gallery“, where she displayed and sold her artwork. She also participated in art shows throughout New England.
She and Buddy very much enjoyed their 19 years on the seacoast of Maine.
Though the town was small and remote, they quickly made many great friendships. And, since they lived upstairs over the post office, they had frequent visitors. As in Burlington, Essex Junction, and then Grand Isle, they were very involved in their communities.
As a child, Bobo had contracted polio and wore a primitive steel brace on one leg for some time.
Determined to overcome this disability, she went on to shed the brace and become a cheerleader for her Waterville High School basketball team.
Bobo was extremely proud of being selected as an All-New England cheerleader when Waterville won the New England Basketball Championship.
Throughout her life, most people never would have known that she had a disability. She was a determined fighter and proud of her ability to overcome that debilitating disease. But, in the past few years, post-polio syndrome set in. With their health in decline and in order to be closer to their children, she and Buddy returned to Vermont and took up residence at the Lodge at Otter Creek. The postpolio syndrome became a challenge, that try as she might, she could not overcome or hide and it eventually shortened her life. Her children hope that she and Buddy have resumed their daily cribbage games.
Virginia was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Buddy, in Jan. 2011; by her sister, Marilyn Brewer Gondela of Waterville, Maine; and brothers-inlaw, Gene Struckhoff and Remo Verrengia.
She is survived by two sisters, Norma Brewer Struckhoff of Towson, Md., and Muriel Brewer Verrengia of Ridgewood, N.J.; and brother-in-law, Thaddy Gondela of Waterville, Maine. Also surviving her are her five children, Barbara Duval and her husband, Bill, of Fairfax, Betty Folino of Hillerod, Denmark, Carol Koerner and her husband, John, of Charlotte, Marianne “Muffin“ Dubie and her husband, Mark, of Fairfield, and David Folino and his wife, Susan, of Bristol. In addition, she was blessed to h ave 14 grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; 10 greatgrandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.
Her family is very grateful for the attention and loving care she received during her last days at the Lodge in Middlebury. We would like to give special thanks to the caring staff at the Lodge and the Addison County Home Health and Hospice Association.
There will be an informal gathering and display of Virginia’s artwork at The Lodge at Otter Creek on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Arrangements by Stephen C. Gregory & Son.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Virginia’s memory may be made to Addison County Home Health and Hospice, P.O. Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753; or 52 Kids Foundation, 6260 Spear Street Ext., Charlotte, VT 05445.
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