Darlow, who lived in the Three Rivers section of Palmer when she was not in Brimfield, was killed when her camper was flipped by the tornado.
Virginia "Ginger" DarlowBRIMFIELD – Virginia “Ginger” Darlow loved nature, so it wasn’t surprising that she planned to camp all summer at the Village Green Campground.
Darlow, 52, who lived in the Three Rivers section of Palmer when she was not in Brimfield, was killed in the June 1 tornado that raced through the wooded campground, flipping 95 of the 97 trailers that were parked there, including her own.
Darlow was with her boyfriend, Richard Reim, 51, inside their Winnebago camper when the twister touched down. He was in good condition at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester, where he was treated for several broken bones.
Darlow’s aunt, Bernice M. Anderson, of Rutland, said she was close to her niece, whom she described as “always cheerful.” This was Darlow’s second year staying at the campground, Anderson said.
“She loved it. She was very happy there,” Anderson said.
She said the couple was advised to take shelter before the storm, but they declined because they thought they would be fine. The tornado flipped the camper up in the air, and dropped it upside down. Darlow’s truck, parked next to it, sustained only broken windows.
“The truck didn’t move,” Anderson said.
Anderson said her niece met Reim when she lived in Leicester; he was visiting her downstairs neighbor. They were together 10 or 11 years. She said the reality of what happened has begun to affect Reim, as he recovers from his injuries.
He reportedly had Darlow in his arms when the twister hit. When he woke up, he was half in and half out of the trailer, according to media reports.
The couple’s dog was not injured and was found under the truck.
Virginia Darlow's truck sustained little damage in the June 1 tornado. The camper she was in when the tornado struck can be seen in the background.“Ginger was a very unique kind of person. She was always cheerful. She liked the outdoors. She was an accomplished artist,” said Anderson, adding her niece enjoyed painting and nature photography.
She also was into astrology, and would do someone’s “chart” if they asked, Anderson said.
Anderson said they also have relatives in Holyoke and Chicopee. She said Darlow leaves three adult sons and her father. She had worked at Worcester Envelope, but was no longer employed because she was considered disabled, her aunt said.
Calling hours will be held June 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Miles Funeral Home on Main Street in Holden, with burial at 10 a.m. at the Rutland Rural Cemetery on Friday, June 16.
The neighboring town of Monson also had a storm-related death. Joan Bacon, 75, of Bethany Road, was stricken after the tornado and passed away the next day.