Obituary

Virginia “Gina” Rugeley was born in Rumford, ME, to Maude Pumphrey Hanscom of Richmond, VA, and Robert Davis Hanscom of Bethel, ME. She grew up in Ashburnham, MA, where her father was Head of the English Department and tennis coach at Cushing Academy, a coeducational preparatory school. Her summers were always spent in Maine at the beloved family cottage on Lake Annabessacook.

Gina graduated from Cushing Academy in 1953 and attended Hollins College (now Hollins University) in Roanoke, VA, from 1953-1957. Upon graduating with her B.A. in English and minor in French, Gina received a Fulbright Scholarship to study in France for a year. She continued her studies at L’Universite de Rennes, in Rennes, France, (capital of the province of Brittany) and received a Diplome de la Langue Francaise in 1958 before returning to the states.

In December of 1958, she married Edward W. Rugeley, Jr. and came to live in Charleston, WV. Gina taught kindergarten in the mornings and French in the afternoons for grades 1 – 6 at the Valley Day School, a small private school on Kanawha Boulevard. With the arrival of her children – Edward W. Rugeley, III (Ned), Robin Maria Rugeley, and Kathryn Bourne Rugeley – Gina became a full-time mother, a French tutor, and a volunteer.

Over the years, she served as a Cub Scout leader, an elder at Kanawha United Presbyterian Church, and on the Boards of Directors of such organizations as ReadAloud WV, the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, the Charleston Junior League (president), the Kanawha County Public Library system (board chair), the Library Foundation of Kanawha County, Inc., West Virginia Homes, and Edgewood Summit. She also founded “Training Dynamics” with friend and fellow Charlestonian Shirley Furry and spent several years training groups and organizations in leadership and management skills.

Despite her many academic, vocational, and volunteer accomplishments, Gina claimed her family as her greatest pride and joy. Mom/Gigi was always present with her deep love, her sense of humor, and her boundless energy, instilling a love of books into her children and grandchildren, supporting them in every endeavor, and always providing multiple pots of homemade soup to feed all who stepped through her door.

Gina was pre-deceased by her parents, her parents-in-law (Edward and Nelle Rugeley), and her sister (Robin H. Hanscum). She is survived by her husband of almost 67 years, Edward W. Rugeley, Jr. Together, they modeled a partnership of love and faith that has blessed their children, grandchildren, and all who know them. In addition, she is survived by her children: Edward W. Rugeley, III (Teri), Robin Rugeley Orr (Chris), and Kathryn Rugeley Easton (Brian); grandchildren: Katie Rugeley Shuman (Dave), Edward W. Rugeley, IV (Pepper), Lily Orr, Robbie Orr, Mary Easton Dustin (David), John Easton (Maggie), and Hannah Easton, as well as her much loved extended family.

The family especially would like to thank the staff of Edgewood Summit and The Ridgemont, special caregiver Ashley Massey, the AMADA caregivers, Dr. Jonathan Lilly, and Kanawha Hospice Care, Inc. Their support, especially throughout Gina’s illness, is deeply appreciated.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Kanawha United Presbyterian Church in Charleston, WV. A visitation and reception will follow at Edgewood Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Kanawha County Public Library System (c/o Marketing and Development, 123 Capitol St., Charleston, WV 25301) OR to Kanawha United Presbyterian Church (1009 Virginia St. E, Charleston, WV 25301).

Condolences may be sent to Gina’s family at www.barlowbonsall.com.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.