Virginia Scott

Virginia Scott of Framingham, MA, passed away peacefully on Sunday May 11th, 2025 at home surrounded by family. She was 98 years wise, and the loving wife of the late Dr. William J. Scott Sr. for 58 years. Born in Cambridge, Mass. to the late George Sr. and Margaret (Cleary) McCauley. She was a resident of Framingham for over 60 years. Virginia graduated from the State Teachers College of Framingham (now Framingham State) in 1948 with her Bachelors of Arts in Education, where she was an avid participant in the community including President of the Theatre Club. During this time, she worked at the Mayflower Restaurant where she met her husband, William Sr., a veteran of the U.S. Navy during World War II who later became a professor of economics. Virginia taught third grade for 32 years at Hemenway School in Framingham, inspiring generations.

Virginia honed her craft since childhood, and became a masterful artist whose work instilled an invigorating light into her community. She studied with artists including Daniel Greene, a renowned portrait artist, Michael Dowling, a Boston artist and activist, and Robert Cormier of Fenway Studios. She opened the 281 Gallery on Newbury Street in Boston, creating a supportive hub where artists could show their work throughout the 1980s. Her own works were inspired by her travels, and included illuminating landscapes, still lifes with focus on stunning floral arrangements, and adoring portraits of her family members. She prided herself on connecting with her community through art, and one of her commissioned portraits was of the President of Babson College. She used vibrant oil and pastel mediums to bring life to her work. Her art appeared at the Concord Art Association, the Newport Art Museum, Premier Image Gallery, College of the Holy Cross, the MetroWest Hospital, as well as businesses, schools, libraries, and other institutions. She strived to make art accessible for all by bringing it to the community. She trained as an artist at the Danforth Museum, the Worcester Art Museum School, and Massachusetts College of Art. She held a Master of Fine Arts degree. Virginia was also an avid reader, and was known to write poetry. Virginia and William also shared a love for the arts through their passion for community theater.

Virginia brought incomparable joy to her family and friends through her wit, art, and humor. She is survived by her four children Brenda Scott, William J. Scott Jr. and his wife Rachel Webb, Maureen Scott and her husband Peter McQuaid, Peter Scott and his partner Amy Ben Ezra. Virginia is also remembered by her four grandchildren; Matt McQuaid and his wife Rachel O’Donnell, Greg McQuaid, Jen Scott, Katherine Scott and her fiancé Avery Rossow, and her niece Margaret McCauley. She was the sister of the late George McCauley Jr. In addition to her family, Virginia will be dearly missed by her many friends, fellow artists, and students whose lives she impacted with her works over the years.

A wake will be held for Virginia at McCarthy, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home, located at 11 Lincoln Street in Framingham on Sunday, May 18 from 3pm to 6pm. On Monday, May 19 at 10am, a funeral mass in memoriam of Virginia will be held at Saint Bridget Parish, located at 830 Worcester Road in Framingham. Interment will follow in Edgell Grove Cemetery, Framingham. 

To share a memory with Virginia’s family, kindly visit www.mccarthyfh.com