Virginia Ellen (King) Galgano, 87, affectionately known as "Binni" entered into heaven on Oct. 1 at Middlesex Hospital after a brief illness, with her devoted husband Peter by her side. She was born on Sept. 21, 1935, the daughter of the late Virginia "Ginny" Lockwood Sage and Kenneth King. She grew up in Connecticut and made East Berlin her home for the past 26 years.

Binni met the love of her life, Peter, when she was 39 years old. She moved to Long Island to be with him and moved back to Connecticut in 1996. They cherished their love and many beautiful years together, celebrating their 27-year anniversary on Sept. 29.

At a young age, Binni began working and possessed a strong work ethic that carried her through life. Even after retirement, Binni wanted to stay busy and took a job as administrative assistant of The Berlin Citizen. For many years, she assisted Peter with recording and producing many videos for dance recitals, family events and veteran organizations.

She always had the desire to keep going and made the best of every day and every situation. Age was not a barrier but a blessing for Binni. She achieved her associate degree at Middlesex Community College when she was 79 years old, and was a proud member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Binni was never without aspirations for what she could do or accomplish. Well into her 70s, she began writing poetry, feature articles for The Berlin Citizen and taking up scrapbooking to record her life.

Binni was quick to lend a helping hand or a kind word to everyone, often before they even knew they needed it. Those who were blessed to know Binni understood her unconditional love, joy and zest for life. She was a friend to all. She enjoyed sharing a meal with family and friends, and entertaining on her deck overlooking the garden. Some memorable get-togethers at home included serving pasta dishes and fondue with all the fixings.

Binni and Peter spent summers on their boat, Galki II, which was docked in the same slip along the Connecticut River in Portland for dozens of years. Family and friends enjoyed hanging out with the couple on their boat and taking excursions along the river, often stopping by public beaches along the way. They often spent the night in Gildersleeve Island with fellow boaters, Pam and John Bouchard.

For many years, Binni enjoyed lunches with her high school friends, from Portland High School Class of 1953, and cherished their camaraderie. She loved her garden, annual family trips to Block Island and regular outings to Boston's North End to savor Italian food and pastries. She enjoyed daily walks around the neighborhood with Peter.

Binni was a very faithful sister in Christ and lived out her faith with kindness and humility. She was a communicant of St. Mary Parish in Portland, and took pleasure in dining with fellow parishioners after Saturday Masses.

Family meant everything to Binni. She basked in the accomplishments of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and wanted them to find happiness in their careers and partners in life. She was overjoyed when she became a great-great-grandmother earlier this year.

She was loved by her son, Harold Shorey and his wife, Evie, and her daughter, Johnna Tuccitto Cunningham, along with her husband, Michael. She was predeceased in death by her daughter, Diane Potvin, and Diane's son, Michael Potvin. She was a positive influence and a doting grandmother to Eric Potvin; Elana and Sabina Shorey; and Sean, Jacob and Morgan Cunningham; great-grandmother to Connor Jernigan, Jason Maly and Peyton Potvin; and great-great-grandmother to Justin Maly.

Binni is also survived by her sister and confidante, Jean Thetreault and her husband, Gil. Many afternoons, Jean and Binni "putzed" around, as they liked to call it. She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, John "Jack" King and his wife, Maureen, who treasured watching performances together at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam. Over the years, Binni provided a home for many cats and is now missed by Clyde.

The family would like to thank the staff at Middlesex Hospital for their sincere compassion and respect shown to Binni during her last days there. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Sat., Oct. 8, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., at Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver St., Middletown, CT. Also on Saturday, all may attend a funeral Mass at 12:00 p.m., at St. Mary Parish, 45 Freestone Ave., Portland, CT. Interment will be held on Tues., Oct. 11, at 10 a.m., in the State Veterans Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane, Middletown, CT.

An online tribute for Binni may be found at www.biegafuneralhome.com, where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for her family on their guestbook page. Binni lived by her motto, "Wherever you go, whatever you do – A part of me is always with you." This meant so much to Binni and Peter that they had it inscribed in their wedding bands.