Virginia M. “Ginny” (Donahue) Foley, age 94, a former longtime resident of Braintree, died peacefully, Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at NewBridge on the Charles in Dedham in the comfort of her loving family. Ginny was a resident of NewBridge on the Charles in Dedham for the past four years, previously living in Braintree for over fifty-five years.

Virginia was born in Boston, to the late William J. and Mary F. (Leary) Donahue. She gleefully carried the moniker “OFD” (originally from Dorchester) as a badge of honor and never removed the sticker from her car that mysteriously appeared on her bumper one night. Primarily raised in Dorchester, she was a graduate of Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Brighton, Class of 1946 and Regis College in Weston, Class of 1950.

Soon after graduation, Ginny followed her passion to the Boston Public Schools where she taught elementary education. With a growing family at home, Ginny left the Boston schools after ten years turning her focus and energy to her five children.

As a young mother, she volunteered as a Girl Scout troop leader and taught religious education in the community. Her faith was a very big part of who she was and she attended daily Mass for many years as an active parishioner of Saint John the Baptist Parish in Quincy. Ever crafty, Ginny was talented at painting, quilting, knitting, sewing, and crocheting. She enjoyed participating in various quilting groups on the South Shore. Family and friends will forever remember her pierced lamp shades, antique painting, cable-knit sweaters, and perpetually-in-progress quilts. No project was too challenging for her and she lovingly shared these passions with her children and grandchildren.

Always one to brighten the paths of all whom she encountered, Ginny was a mother, friend and welcoming mom-away-from home in the lives of so many. She always extended friendship, companionship and transportation to her elderly friends who did not have family nearby. Ginny’s warm heart and kitchen table were always open to the family and friends alike who graced the threshold of the family home in Braintree (aka “World Headquarters”).

Beloved wife for fifty-nine years of the late Thomas G. Foley, D.M.D. Devoted mother of Thomas G. Foley and his wife Jo-Anne of Portsmouth, R.I., Stephen J. Foley and his wife Virginia of Raleigh, N.C., Mary E. Flory and her husband Albert of Hanover, N.H., Shelagh A. Sullivan and her husband Patrick of Greenwich, Conn., Peter W. Foley and his wife Robin of Harvard, Mass. She is survived by thirteen cherished grandchildren and one great-grandchild. One of four siblings, she was the sister to Anne K. Fallon and her husband Francis of Medway, the late Francis J. Donahue and his surviving wife Doris of Braintree, and the late William J. Donahue, Jr. and is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

The family is forever grateful for the loving and wonderful care that Ginny received at NewBridge on the Charles over the past four years and would like to thank her many devoted care givers, especially Touria, Freda, Jacque, Ketlie and Kendra.

Visiting hours will be held at the Sweeney Brothers Home for Funerals, 1 Independence Avenue, Quincy, on Tuesday, March 28, from 8:45 – 10:45 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Saint John the Baptist Church, 44 School Street, Quincy, at 11:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Milton Cemetery.

Ginny’s dearest uncle was an early member of the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity (Trinity Missions) which informed her life-long devotion to the order. For those who wish, donations in Ginny’s memory may be made to Shrine of Saint Joseph, 1050 Long Hill Road, Stirling, NJ 07980 or by visiting www.shrineofsaintjoseph.com/donate.