Ferne McGinnis

Ferne Mitchell McGinnis, a resident of Old Greenwich for 65 years, died peacefully on February 19, 2023 at the age of 96. Mrs. McGinnis was born on September 17, 1926 in Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Ohio State University, magna cum laude; and she was a Delta Gamma sorority sister. During her formative years in Columbus, she was fortunate to study piano with a student of Wanda Landowska, the famed Polish harpsichordist. Mrs. McGinnis’ favorite composer for the piano was Chopin. Her love of music remained with her throughout her life, and she was an enthusiastic supporter of the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra, which she knew as the Greenwich Philharmonia, in its early days.

After marrying, she moved to Greenwich and shortly thereafter to Old Greenwich, which enabled her husband, Robert, to pursue his chosen career of illustration. Her eye for fashion, color and design all influenced and contributed to her husband’s success. Mrs. McGinnis was sharp-witted and convivial, a master of conversation, occasionally firing off a blunt and often amusing comment.

Never one to be idle, Mrs. McGinnis joined the Junior Woman’s Club of Greenwich and became an editor of their magazine, The Link. Her interests in historical architecture, archeology and the Cos Cob Art Colony led her to volunteer at the Bush-Holley House as a docent. She was a member of Second Congregational Church and volunteered as a church schoolteacher, eventually going on to teach at the First Presbyterian Nursery School for 17 years. After retiring from teaching, she went on to become a talented floral designer and taught floral design at the Greenwich Botanical Center, having the perfect first name for a woman who loved flowers.

Her final creative achievement, which she pursued into her 80s, was to master the art of pastel painting, which resulted in a successful art show at the Greenwich Botanical Center with the title Barns & Boathouses.

She is survived by her husband, Robert, her daughters, Melinda and Laurie, her son, Kyle (or “Duke”), and three grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, we request that you do something kind for someone, and if you are so inclined, lift a glass of Champagne and say, “Well done, Ferne.” LeoPGallagherGreenwich.com