Gladys H. Ryder

Gladys H. (Purple) Ryder, 93, formerly of 115 Fish Street, Athol, died Friday morning in Willow Point Nursing Home in Vestal, New York after a brief illness. She was born in Athol, September 5, 1909, daughter of the late Wincenty and Josephine (Dombrowsky) Piepol and lived here until moving to Endicott, New York in 1997 so that she could be close to her daughter. Her husband, Percy K. Ryder died many years ago. Mrs. Ryder worked in the office of the former Union Twist Drill Co. for thirty four years retiring in 1976. She was a communicant of Our Lady Immaculate Church in Athol and a member of the American Association of Retired Persons. She was a champion bowler, winning many trophies and enjoyed arts and crafts, crocheting and traveling. She is survived by one daughter, Joyce Rizzi of Endicott, New York; one brother, Vincent "Bill" Purple of Athol and one sister, Mary Lamson of Athol; one grandson, Raymond Rizzi and his wife Maribeth of Morristown, New Jersey, two granddaughters, Donna McKinley and her husband Stephen of Mt. Airy, Maryland and Regina Rizzi of Knoxville, Tennessee and six great grandchildren, Justin, Nelson and Ian McKinley and Kathryn, Lauren and Mary Lou Rizzi and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one sister, Ida Morris of West Springfield and two brothers, Alexander and Walter Purple, both of Athol. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from the J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home, 137 Main St., Athol, Saturday, June 28 with a Funeral Mass in Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School St., Athol at 11AM. Burial will take place in Gethsemane Cemetery, Athol. A calling hour at the funeral home will be held from 9:30 - 10:30 AM Saturday. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions in her memory be made to AVPDC (Athol Veterans Park Development Corporation), 134 Chestnut Hill Ave., Athol, MA 01331. For directions to the funeral home or to sign the online guestbook, visit our website at www.murphysfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home, 137 Main St., Athol. $(document).ready(function(){ });