Virginia Gunter

CHARLTON - Virginia C. (Cook) Gunter, 92, of Horne Homestead Road, died Sunday, June 7, 2009, in her home. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Dr. Roy C. Gunter Jr. of Charlton, who died in 2005. She is survived by four children, Pauline G. Wilson of Fairbanks, AK, Roy C. Gunter III of Monterey, CA, Karl D. Gunter of Missouri City, TX, and Mark L. Gunter of Charlton, and their spouses; a sister, Emily Moore of Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard; a sister-in-law, Mary (Collins) Cook of Canton; twelve grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces. She was born in Wellesley, the daughter of the late Arthur and Margaret (Lewis) Cook, and lived in Charlton since 1944. She received her first Master's degree from Boston University in American Literature and her second Master's degree from Worcester State College in Education. Virginia Gunter was a farmer for many years in Charlton, raising Welsh Ponies and Black Angus Beef Cattle. In addition, she was a teacher at Charlton Elementary and High School for several years and previously wrote a column for the Southbridge News in Southbridge. Virginia was an artist, working in watercolor and stone, and was a supporter of the Southbridge Arts Center. She operated and built Tree of Life Art Studio in Charlton where she created her most awesome stonewall. Virginia enjoyed traveling with her husband to visit family in Alaska and throughout the world. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on June 27, 2009, at the Oak Hill Bible Church, 40 Sacarrappa Road, Oxford. Burial will be private. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Quinebaug Valley Council for the Arts and Humanities, 111 Main Street, Southbridge, MA 01550-2524, or to Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation, www.alzinfo.org. Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, is assisting the family with arrangements.