Eliot — Virginia (Ginny) Sue Elwell (Goodwin), 71, passed away peacefully on Monday, Aug. 9, surrounded by her cherished family.

Born in Portsmouth, N.H., on Jan. 17, 1950, Ginny was a daughter of the late Roland and Marjorie (Cournoyer) Goodwin. She was raised in Eliot on her family's farm and attended local schools, graduating from Marshwood High School in 1968.

Upon graduation she worked at Maine National Bank in Kittery until marrying her loving husband of 49 years, Richard (Dick) Elwell, on May 27, 1972. Together they built their home and family on what has become their family compound, where she lived her life surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

As her children grew, she returned to the work force, building deep relationships with patients as an administrator at the office of Dr. Philip Anderson, where she worked for more than 20 years.

In addition to the patients who discovered Ginny's compassionate and caring demeanor, friends far and wide came to know her through her painting classes run out of her basement, craft fairs, local volunteer work, involvement in her local community and participation in activities with her children in the Marshwood school district.

To know Ginny was to love her. Those who knew Ginny remember her as a mom to many, nurturing, selfless, an open ear, a warm compassionate heart, positive pillar of strength, with a great sense of humor. She was someone who freely offered an open home to many, including her children's friends through the years.

Ginny loved family vacations to Florida and her many trips to Jamaica, especially when joined by family members and her close friends. She also treasured her summers spent at her favorite place since childhood, her family camp on Great East Lake in Acton, Maine, which she continued to share and enjoy with her children and grandchildren over the years.

The last eight years of her life spent battling ovarian cancer never dampened her spirit and intense love for her family, with her loving husband Dick by her side traveling back and forth to Boston and ensuring her every need was met while she fought courageously against her illness. She greatly appreciated the loving care provided by York Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Despite her illness, she loved being able to watch her family grow and enjoy so much of life. Family was her everything; her favorite role in life was being Meme to her beloved grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband Dick of Eliot; daughter Shelly Carter, her husband, Joe, and children Andrew, Brady and Emma Carter; son Brent Elwell, his wife, Taryn, and children Ryan, Marlo and Brigham Elwell; daughter Trisha Genest, her husband, Bruce, and children Cole, Everlie and Miller Genest; and daughter Holly Cresta, her husband, Joey, and children Logan and Leo Cresta; her brother, Paul Goodwin, and his wife, Sandy; brother-in-law, Ronald Elwell; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; sisters Joyce Goodwin, Barbara Goodwin and Ann Emery, as well as Ann's husband, David; and her brother, Roland Goodwin.

Friends are invited to visit with Ginny's family on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, from 4-7 p.m. in the JS Pelkey and Son Funeral Home 125 Old Post Road Kittery Maine 03904. The family will also hold an intimate celebration of Ginny's life at a later date. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com . In lieu of flowers, please donate to Friends In Action, P.O. Box 866, Durham, N.H., 03824.