Virginia Adams Benham died peacefully at home in New York city on April 27. She was 99.

Virginia, known as Ginger to some, called Martha’s Vineyard her favorite place on Earth. She was a long-time visitor to the Chilmark home of her daughter Helen Benham,a seasonal resident, and her grandsons, year-round resident John Benham Robinson and new Skidmore graduate Maurice Richard Adams Robinson.

Upon learning of her death, friends remembered her as possessing an amazing intellect, insight and curiosity, wonderful sense of humor, love of music, and talent as an editor at Scholastic, where she worked with her daughter Helen in the company’s Early Childhood Division. But nothing surpassed her love of nature on the Vineyard. She loved her frequent trips to Polly Hill and her favorite beach in Lobsterville. She was just as content sitting outside reading and taking in the Island’s exquisite birdsong and sweet air or taking a drive with her great friend Island resident Robin Smith.

In addition to Helen, Virginia is survived by her other two devoted daughters, Anne Benham of Charlottesville, Va. and Joan Benham of New York city; cherished grandsons, and beloved sister Helen Allen of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. A private memorial will be held in New York city.