Eleanor M. Perley

Athol-Eleanor M. (Hayden) "Ellie" Perley, 90, of 64 Elm Street, died Thursday in Quabbin Valley Healthcare, following a brief illness. Her husband of 37 years, former Athol Fire Chief Mervin L. Perley, died in 1975. She leaves her twin brother, Carl Hayden and his wife Phyllis, of Athol; a nephew, Thomas Hayden of Athol; three nieces, Dorothy Hayden of Royalston, Colleen Hayden of Erving, and Mary Wheeler of Phillipston; and one grand-niece, Elizabeth Wheeler of Phillipston. Born in Athol, a daughter of Thomas F. and Mary (Young) Hayden, she was a lifelong resident of town. She graduated from Athol High School with the class of 1929. Mrs. Perley was employed at the L. S. Starrett Company for many years, retiring in 1976 as secretary to the vice-president of sales. She was a communicant of Our Lady Immaculate Church, was a member of the Athol Historical Society, the Athol Golden Agers and the AARP. She enjoyed ice skating, skiing, and bowling. She also enjoyed dancing, traveling, and playing Bridge. She especially loved the ocean. The funeral will be held Saturday from the J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home, 137 Main Street, with a Mass at 11 a.m. in Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School Street. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery. A calling hour in the funeral home will be Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be made to Athol Memorial Hospital, 2033 Main Street, Athol, 01331; or to Athol Historical Society, P.O. Box 21, Athol, 01331. $(document).ready(function(){ });