Eugenia Pugh Chilton

Gene Chilton, ninety-three, passed away March 20, 2025 with her daughter, Nancy, by her side. She was a resident of Westminster Canterbury, Richmond, VA. Born Eugenia Richmond Pugh, she was the daughter of Nancy Constance Richmond and John Ray Pugh, both children of English immigrants. She and her older sister, Connie, grew up in a home built by their grandfather across from the Virginia Theological Seminary in what is now Alexandria. Just down the street lived her Richmond grandparents. She graduated from Mount Vernon High School and attended Mary Washington College. Gene was married for nearly 70 years to Charlie Chilton, who died in 2022. She is survived by their three children, John (Carolyn Moomaw), Scott (Sonia Garcia), and Nancy (Greg Kesselring); three granddaughters, Ginny, Sarah, and Emily; and seven great-grandchildren. A fiercely independent thinker, Gene was an outspoken nonconformist and self-described socialist. She used her right of free speech to oppose the power held by corporate interests. She championed equality in healthcare and education, and environmental protection, believing deeply in the interconnectedness of all life and the need to care for the world rather than exploit it. She opposed military intervention of all kinds, but especially U.S. policy aimed at regime change anywhere in the world. Before the phrase existed, she valued diversity, inclusion, and equity. Racism troubled her deeply. In her circle of influence, she was always reaching across the divide that isolates whites and people of color. Her insatiable curiosity made her a voracious reader and an engaged follower of current events. She questioned the mainstream narrative and relished discussing the books and ideas that captivated her. A lifelong artist, Gene painted, drew, created prints, and made zines well into her later years. She also found joy in cooking and nurturing plants. Gene’s hair turned white in her thirties. When the Iraq War began, she dyed a patch of her hair blood red as a sign of protest. It remained that way for the rest of her life. For many years, she protested weekly with Women in Black, an anti-war human rights group formed by Israeli women in Jerusalem. Despite increasing pain and mobility challenges in her later years, Gene remained an active presence at Westminster Canterbury. She made regular visits to the library and art room, baked cookies to share, and brightened the lives of those around her with her infectious smile, easy laugh, and unwavering spirit. She made good trouble to the very end. A Unitarian memorial service celebrating her life will be held at Westminster Canterbury Richmond Chapel on April 3 at 1 PM, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the World Wildlife Fund or a charity of your choice.

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Eugenia Pugh Chilton

December 17, 1931 - March 20, 2025