Virginia MacEwen

Virginia Bole MacEwen passed away on October 10, 2025. Ginger, as she was known to friends and family, was born Laura Virginia Bole on August 22, 1937 in Washington, DC to the late Robert and Susan Bole. She grew up in Bethesda, Maryland with her younger sisters, Dianna and Roberta. She graduated from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in 1955. She went on to attend Duke University, graduating with a degree in chemistry in 1959. After raising her family, she resumed her education, receiving a masters degree in library and information science from the University of Maryland in 1983.

In her professional career, Ginger was twice a federal employee. After college, she worked for the Food and Drug Administration, and upon receiving her masters degree she worked at Library of Congress. Later, she became a science librarian at George Washington University’s Gelman Library, from which she retired in June of 1999.

While at Duke University, she began dating a childhood acquaintance, Richard MacEwen, whom she first met in kindergarten. They enjoyed 65 years of marriage. As a wife, mother, and extremely organized individual, Ginger handled advance work and logistics for many of Richard’s work relocations. She rented, bought, and sold residences in far-flung locales including Norfolk, VA; Stoneham, MA; the Philippines; Trinidad; Rochester, NY; Taiwan; Panama; Miami, FL; and ultimately McLean, VA. During her globetrotting years, she raised four children, Robert, Alan, and Wendy, and foster son, Paul Luu.

Ginger was an active member of Little Falls Presbyterian Church in Arlington, Virginia. She served as an elder, church librarian, and member of the choir. A deeply compassionate person, Ginger was heavily involved in the church’s refugee resettlement ministry, specializing in immigration and naturalization issues. Her knowledge in this area came from helping her foster son Paul become a naturalized U.S. citizen. The families and individuals she helped went on to success, building prosperous and meaningful lives in the community.

Ginger placed great value on education. She served a term as McLean Branch President of the American Association of University Women, and for many years organized the annual AAUW book sale to raise money for scholarships. She also invested time tutoring a young mother, helping her complete her high school diploma and guiding her in the care of her young child.

In her retirement, Ginger resumed traveling with her husband, this time for fun and adventure. Together they visited every continent except Antarctica. In 2014, she and Richard moved to Vinson Hall Retirement Community, where they enjoyed new friends and a tight-knit, active community.

She was predeceased by her granddaughter, Anne Cathryn Browning. She is survived by her husband Richard Alan MacEwen, son Robert Kitchel MacEwen (and wife Lisa); Alan Bole MacEwen (and wife Donna); Wendy MacEwen Browning (and husband Putt); foster son Paul Luu; grandchildren Mac and Dean Browning, Jack and Evangeline MacEwen, and Lydia MacEwen; and beloved sisters Dianna Hassett and Roberta McCarthy.

There will be a memorial service at Little Falls Presbyterian Church, 6025 Little Falls Road, Arlington, Virginia on November 22, 2025 at 11am.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Arlington Free Clinic, arlingtonfreeclinic.org; Little Falls Presbyterian Church, littlefallschurch.org; or a charity of your choice.