Virginia Waters, Phd.

WATERS, Virginia, PhD, joined her heavenly family on December 6, 2022, at the age of 76. Virginia was a vibrant soul who helped countless friends, family, clients, and members of the community find happiness throughout her 46-year career as a practicing psychologist. Virginia would be the first to remind us that as we begin our journey remembering her, we must continue to discover joy in our everyday lives. Virginia was born on July 5, 1946, to Richard Duer Waters and Sally Waters (neé Vass) in New York, NY. After graduating Bayside High School, Virginia attended Finch College before obtaining her doctorate in psychology from Columbia University's Teacher School. Virginia spent her life helping people, particularly those suffering from grief. Her effectiveness came from experience — both personal and professional. As a psychologist in New York and New Jersey for 46 years, Virginia participated on numerous boards, including the New York State Psychological Association (Member of the Presidential Task Force on Grief & Loss During Covid-19), Society for Prescribing Psychology (President, 2018) during which she lobbied congress to allow psychologists to prescribe medication, and the New Jersey Academy of Medical Psychologists (Board of Directors). For over 20 years, she also ran grief support groups alongside Patti Williams, R.N., at the First Presbyterian Church of Cranford. Virginia devoted her career to supporting hundreds of individuals in finding their purpose while celebrating their self-worth. Virginia was also known as "Ginger" to her family. She and her husband, Sidney "Sid" George Dashevsky, welcomed their first child, Adam Michael Waters-Dashevsky, on December 14, 1981. In a cosmic coincidence, Ginger was fortunate to share this auspicious occasion with her sister, Suzanne Smirnoff, who gave birth to her third child, Christie, on the same day and within the same hour. On July 2, 1984, Ginger and Sid added to their family with the birth of their daughter, Hallie Sarah Waters-Dashevsky. Both Adam and Hallie embodied Ginger's creativity and vitality throughout their lives and reflected Ginger's loving spirit. In addition to the vibrant community she created throughout her life, Virginia is survived by her siblings, Richard Duer Waters, Jr. and Suzanne Waters Smirnoff; nieces Stacy, Christie and Cindy; nephews George and Trey; grandnieces/nephews Jake, Kellie, Cassie, Ward and Lyle; step-daughters Anne and Karen; Mark Cannon, her pillar of support for over 30 years, and her beloved dogs Ollie, Dex, Tank, and Loki. A celebration of Virginia's life will begin at 11:00AM at the First Presbyterian Church of Cranford on January 7th, 2023, with a reception to follow. In remembrance of Virginia's life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements by Gray Memorial Funeral Home, Cranford, NJ. Please go to: www.grayfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences.