Maybe the secret to a long life is having a heart that loves freely. It worked for Virginia Ward Duffy McLoughlin, who passed away August 19, 2025, at the age of 97.
Virginia was born and raised in West Hartford, Connecticut, the youngest and last of a generation of five siblings born to Ward Everett Duffy, editor of the former Hartford Times newspaper, and Louise Day Duffy, for whom West Hartford’s Duffy Elementary School is named.
Virginia earned a B.A. in The Arts from Middlebury College in Vermont, where she was able to pursue her lifelong love of music and poetry and where the cold winters allowed her to ski and skate.
After graduation, she worked at Harvard University, where she met her husband of 40 years, William G. McLoughlin. Shortly after their wedding, they embarked on a trans-Atlantic journey, passing through a hurricane, to England, where they lived for a year and traveled throughout Europe. The couple moved to Providence, R.I., in 1954, when William joined the faculty at Brown University, starting a life in the Ocean State that would span 70 years.
Throughout her life, Virginia would return to the Adirondacks in summertime, the blue water and green mountains echoing with the cry of loons drawing her to a special sentimental spot where she enjoyed canoeing and rowing.
She was a published author and editor. As the keeper of the family records, her specialty was family history, and many relied on her knowledge of family lore and important dates and places. Her passion for honoring history and preserving the past led her to follow the footsteps of her pioneer ancestor along the Oregon Trail. She was an advocate for peace, justice, equality, and women’s rights and was seen holding protest signs at rallies and demonstrations well into her 80s.
Virginia marveled at nature with a sense of wonder and curiosity. An excellent cook and baker, her homemade pies were legendary. She played piano and guitar and had a fine singing voice and an ear for harmony. Her love of music spanned the genres from classical to Roy Orbison. Her favorite composer was Bela Bartok, whose piano she once had the honor of playing. A poetry admirer, Virginia was a fan of Robert Frost, and she could recite from memory his poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” until the day she died.
Virginia led a life of principle and conviction reflected in the hallmarks of her character: Love, kindness, generosity, grace, dignity, gentleness, humility, strength, and courage.
These words simply scratch the surface of Virginia’s life. But her depth lies in our hearts.
She is survived by three daughters, Helen and Gail, of Rhode Island, and Martha, of Missouri; two grandchildren, Brian and Aimee; and grandson-in-law Pablo. A private family service was held previously.
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