NORWAY – Virginia (Ginny) Margaret Davis Keniston, 86, of Bethel, died peacefully Tuesday, March 10, surrounded by family after suffering a stroke on Sunday.

She was born Nov. 24, 1922, to Elsie and Earl Davis in Bethel. She graduated from Gould Academy and the Gorham Normal School, after which she taught school before starting a family.

She was an active woman who shared her life with many people in many ways. She ran a pre-school and swap shop in the early years. She continued to work in the school and town libraries for many years. She was a member of the Methodist Church, the Cross Country Quilters, Bethel Historical Society and the Red Hat Society just to name a few of her endeavors. Her column in the Bethel Citizen brought neighborhood news for many years.

Her greatest joy was time spent sharing her love with family. Family gatherings at home and the family’s Songo camp were a common occurrence.

Ginny and her husband Bob had many adventures together in their 64 years of marriage; Alaska, Quebec and Labrador were only a few of their fishing grounds, (she always caught the biggest fish). Fall was spent at Fryeburg Fair as salesman for Bob’s wood turnings and Saturday nights were always spent dancing where they were well-known for their smooth style and their many dancing buddies.

She is survived by her husband, Robert; brother, Jerry Davis and wife, Diana; sister-in-law, Amy Davis and her children, Martha Bangs and husband, Glenn, Rachel Mcknight and husband, Ted, David Keniston and wife, Jodi, Peter Keniston and wife, Stacey, and son-in-law, Lennie Shaw; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, Earl and Elsie Davis; her brother, Stanley Davis; and her daughter, Rebecca Shaw.


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