Virginia P. Masland, natural evangelist
Virginia Parlin Masland, 89, of Millsboro, widow of Charles Henry Masland III, and daughter of Dr. Wellington and Ora Parlin, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019.
She is survived by her four children: Charles (Chad) H. Masland IV (wife, Robin Masland) of Lewes, Deborah P. Masland (husband, Marc Tremblay) of Cumberland, R.I., Elizabeth M. Carlton (husband, Matthew Carlton) of Duncanville, Texas, and Annetta M. Mewha (husband, David Mewha) of Mystic, Conn.; 15 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Barbara Foltz of Tallahassee, Fla.; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Elizabeth.
Born July 5, 1930, in Baltimore, Md., she grew up in Carlisle, Pa., when her father became a professor at Dickinson College and, ultimately, chairman of the physics department.
Virginia graduated from Carlisle High School and attended Dickinson College. In 1951, she was selected to be Miss Carlisle, traveling to Chicago and Oklahoma, and representing her town at the premiere of the movie about Jim Thorpe, who was a famous athlete and student at the Carlisle Indian School and a founder of the National Football League. She presented gifts to the Oklahoma governor from Pennsylvania Governor Fine.
Later she became executive secretary at CH Masland & Sons, carpet manufacturer in Carlisle. A long-term friend of the Masland family, she married the love of her life in July, 1953, and they celebrated their 61st anniversary prior to his death. Their marriage was an example of the deep love that is possible between a husband and wife, and served as an inspiration for many, including their four children.
A natural evangelist, she was always eager to share her faith in the Lord, the reason for her joy, with anyone who would happen into her sphere of influence. A spiritual mom to many, she will be remembered for her way of giving people hope about who they were and the worth she saw in them.
From playing piano and singing at a local nursing home to opening up her home for a children’s Bible club and long-term leadership roles shared with her husband at Greenwood Hills Chapel and Boiling Springs Bible Fellowship Church, she became a counselor to many. She valued people, not judging their outward appearance and, instead, was concerned with their heart and seeing their potential. Many friends have confirmed that her relationship to them positively transformed their lives to this day.
After raising her children, she completed her education at Shippensburg State College (now Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania), achieving a bachelor’s degree in library science.
In her spare time, she used her artistic talents in acrylic, oil and watercolor paintings of landscapes, still lifes and her family. In 2009, she and Charles moved to Delaware. Both she and her husband shared a continuous goal of leading others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and were a testimony to the faith.
You are invited to join us at the celebration of life service, Saturday, Oct. 19, at 1 p.m., at Boiling Springs Bible Fellowship Church at 119 4th St., Boiling Springs, Pa. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoffman Funeral Home & Crematory, 2020 W. Trindle Rd., Carlisle, PA 17013.
