Dr Virginia Cribari King, 76, of Newtown, died February 13. She was born February 18, 1939, and was a daughter to the late Idaehla and Arnold Cribari of Mount Vernon, N.Y.

Dr King grew up in Mount Vernon surrounded by a big, loud, and loving Italian family. Throughout her childhood she excelled in school, and fell in love with the sciences. Because she was driven to advance her learning, she took the train each day to and from Barnard College where she earned her bachelor's degree in biology. After college, she worked in a pharmaceutical lab until she decided to start a family.

She moved to Newtown in 1967 and fell in love with the town and her home. She threw all of her time and energy into being a super-mom to her two daughters and became active in the League of Women Voters. Eventually, her love of children and science led her into the field of education and she began teaching science at Newtown Middle School. In 1975, she earned a master of science from Western Connecticut State University and in 1986 earned her sixth-year diploma in administration-supervision. This path led her to become the assistant principal at Newtown Middle School.

Dr King thoroughly enjoyed working with students and teachers to continuously enhance the education in Newtown Middle School. In 1996, at the age of 67, she earned her doctorate of education from Columbia University. Upon "retiring" from her administrative position, she took on two positions supervising student teachers at Sacred Heart University and Western Connecticut State College.

She was an avid ballroom dancer, and even added a ballroom onto her house. She loved nothing more than hosting dance parties in her home. For many years she danced with her friend, the late Tom Butterworth of Oxford. Through dance, she then met her friend and dance partner, the late Tony Damore. Together, they learned to dance the Argentine Tango. She taught ballroom lessons to many, and always an advocate of learning continuously, took many lessons herself.

Always up for a new experience and adventure, Dr King extensively traveled the world. Argentina, for the dance and culture, was a favorite destination. She ziplined with her grandchildren above the canopy of the rainforest in Costa Rica. She admired the glaciers of Antarctica and the exotic wildlife of the Galapagos Islands. Just a year ago, she ventured to Thailand and proudly sent her grandchildren a picture of herself riding an elephant.

Other activities that Dr King enjoyed include attending the opera and Broadway plays, discussing literature with her book club, and creating beauty through gardening at her home. Amazingly, she became a master gardener in her 70s.

Dr King's mission statement for life was as follows: "Live well, laugh often, love much, learn continuously, and leave a legacy." That she did. She could not have been prouder of her daughters and grandchildren. She loved each of them, and took them on countless trips to New York City during "Grandmother Camp."

She leaves behind her daughters, Jennifer Virginia King Kipp, and her husband Peter Kipp, of Wayland, Mass., and Diane King-Lee, and her husband David Lee, of Williamsburg, Va. Six grandchildren, Connor Lee, Duncan Lee, Matthew Kipp, Andrew Kipp, Jessica Lee, and Russell Lee; her brother Arnold Cribari, and his wife Shawn; three nieces and one nephew survive Dr King. Her sister, Idaehla Antosik, preceded her in death.

A memorial service will take place at the Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street, Newtown, on Saturday, February 20, at 11 am, followed by a Celebration of Life party. Friends may call at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, Thursday, February 18, from 4 to 7 pm.

In lieu of flowers, her family requests that contributions be made to the Newtown Scholarship Association, PO Box 302, Newtown CT 06470.