Obituary of Virginia Dryer

A well known local artist and illustrator, formerly of East Avenue in Brighton, died on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at the Highlands at Brighton Nursing Home. She is predeceased by her husband, Harwood B. Dryer; parents, C. Russell and Josephine (Jennings) Smith; brother, Major Richard Smith. She was born in Rochester and attended local schools, graduating from Charlotte High School in 1978. Due to her interest in art, she attended and graduated from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia. She loved to draw animals, especially cats and dogs, so she took this interest, and for a number of years, used it to illustrate for the Instructor Magazine. She also illustrated a number of books written by local Rochesterians as well as gave private art lessons to local children. She also worked with artist George Gray, on murals in Rochester and Syracuse. Click for a story regarding the Historic Dryer Family Home in Brighton composed by the Landmark Society. She became an accomplished water color painter and her works were exhibited (many times with her husband’s) at local galleries such as the Roselawn Gallery in Pittsford; the Gallery of Sporting Art at the Genesee Country Museum, where she had painted a number of its buildings and their interiors; the Gallery at Valley Manor, and at Grafton, Vermont, where they could be found each Fall with their paints and canvasses recording local scenes. During her working career she was employed at Bausch and Lomb & Eastman Kodak Companies where her artistic talents were utilized. She was a member of the Rochester Art Club, and due to her interest in local history, also belonged to the Brighton and Perinton Historical Societies and the Landmark Society. She was proud to be able to trace her roots back to the people who came over on the Mayflower, as well as others who fought in the American Revolution. She and her husband traveled quite extensively, a number of times to Europe. Some of these journeys were with the Genesee Valley Hiking Club, and organization of which Mr. Dryer was a member since its inception. She is survived by her nieces, Barbara Ann Smith of Brighton and Kathleen Sutherland & Monica Johnson, both of Nashville, TN; her nephews, Mason (Rowena) Fitch of Brighton and Robert (Virginia) Fitch of Pittsford; several grand and great-grand nieces & nephews; god-daughter/caregiver, Sister Marian Johnson of Rochester. Special thanks are due to the caring staff at the Highlands of Brighton. A Memorial Service will be anounced at a latter date. Home Brighton Birthplace Rochester, New York Donations Charity of one's choice