Virginia Cooper Davis of Hobe Sound, Fla., died peacefully surrounded by her family on Jan. 28. She was 90.

The daughter of the late Rear Adm. George Randolph Cooper and his wife Ruth McMullen Cooper, Virginia was born in San Diego, Calif. on August 17, 1925. As a naval officer’s daughter, she moved all around the country. From 1934 to 1937, she lived in Shanghai, China and the Philippines. At that time, she attended China Inland Mission School in Chefoo. Returning to the United States, Virginia went to 16 different schools before graduating from high school, and then from George Washington University.

Soon after, Virginia met her beloved husband of 63 years, Donald Walter Davis Jr. Their courtship began in Boston, where Don was attending Harvard Business School and Virginia worked as an editor for the Harvard University Press.

In 1947 they were married and moved to New Britain, Conn., where Don began a lifelong career at the Stanley Works and Virginia set up their home and began to raise their six children. Together, Virginia and Don went on to become devoted citizens of the New Britain community.

Virginia’s commitment to volunteerism was formidable. She offered her efforts to many organizations, including the Children’s Science Center, the New Britain Junior League, the New Britain Museum of American Art, the New Britain General Hospital, and the United Way, as well as the Virginia C. Davis Friendship Service Center, a safe haven for women in need.

While raising their six children, Virginia and Don began spending summer vacations on Martha’s Vineyard, which soon became an important part of the fabric of all their lives. There she continued to offer her service on many boards and as a volunteer. In her final project, Virginia served as chairman for the capital campaign for the expansion of the historic Chilmark Free Public Library.

Many who knew Virginia, also known as Jinny, describe her as a renaissance woman. Always guided by her abiding faith and love of God, she expressed her many talents through art, music, culture, design and her love of the natural world. For all those whose lives Virginia touched with her wisdom and compassion, the world became a kinder, saner, more elegant place. She embodied an extraordinary combination of generosity, integrity, courage, loyalty and inimitable style. Her high standards of excellence inspired family and friends to dream bigger, stand taller, and reach higher. She lived her life for a greater purpose and duty. She understood that life was not always easy. The challenge, the learning, and even the disappointments were what made life worth living.

Virginia was predeceased by her husband Don, her son Randall Cooper Davis, her brother George Randolph Cooper Jr., her sister Ruth McMullen Demarest and her brother John Wallis Cooper. She is survived by her daughter Deborah Davis Kvam and her husband David Kvam; her son Donald Walter Davis 3rd and his partner Nancy Shai; her son Palmer Reed Davis and his wife Mary Davis, her daughter Jennifer Dodd Davis; and her daughter Ruth Allyn Davis and her husband Innes Weir. She also leaves behind 12 wonderful grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and one great-grandson. As they will attest, “Jin Jin” made sure they all understood what was important in life and the power of love.

A memorial service will be held for Virginia at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in New Britain, Conn. on Friday, March 18 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friendship Service Center of New Britain, P.O. Box 1896, New Britain, CT 06050-1896, or to further Alzheimer’s research, donate to the Yale School of Medicine, Attn. Sharon McManus, Office of Medical Development, P.O. Box 7611, New Haven, CT 06519-0611, Memo: for Dr. Strittmatter’s Alzheimer Research.

Carlson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.