Ruth A. Whelpley

ATHOL - Ruth Adeline (Welch) Whelpley, 91 of 1079 Pleasant Street, died on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the Quabbin Valley Healthcare Facility, following a long illness, with her loving family at her side.   Born in Woburn MA on June 14, 1920, she was the daughter of the late George L and Sophrona G. (Magee) Welch. She lived on Pinkney Street, Beacon Hill, Boston before moving to Athol, where she resided for the past 71 years.    While raising her family Ruth was the bookkeeper at her husband’s dealership, Howard Motor Sales on South Main Street Athol. She worked over 25 years in the office at Moskovitz Women’s Clothing Store until she retired in 1990. She loved to play the piano and organ and enjoyed many years of performing in the Elk’s Minstrel Shows with her beloved husband Howard. She was a member of the Starrett Memorial United Methodist Church.   Her husband of 65 years, Howard O. Whelpley, died in 2006.   Survivors include her children, Dennis E. (Pat) Whelpley of Athol, Carole A. (Gene) Walsh of Chelmsford, Cary A. (Donna) Whelpley of Pepperell, Judith A. (David) McNamara of Pittsburgh PA and Neil E. (Dawn) Whelpley of Townsend. 13 Grandchildren; Jeffrey A. Whelpley, Jennifer (Whelpley) Wetherby, Craig E. (Gina) Walsh, Deanna Walsh, Kathleen A. (Walsh)(Bill) Bennett, Patrick Howard Walsh, Debra L. (Whelpley) (Kyle) Bradley, Jill A. (Whelpley) (Bruce) Secovich, Elizabeth K. McNamara, Allison L. McNamara, Kathleen R. McNamara, Nicole Whelpley, and Ryan Whelpley. 21 Great-grandchildren; Jeffrey Robichaud, Kayla Wetherby, Kullen Wetherby, Nicolas Whelpley, Ryan Whelpley, Lincoln Reynolds, Cody Reynolds, Travis Walsh, Meagan Walsh, Brooke Bennett, Kara Bennett, Jordan Whelpley, Abby Bradley, Emma Bradley, Madison Bradley, Kaleb Secovich, Jacob Secovich, Cassandra Secovich, Olivia Secovich, Jada Secovich and 7 day old Isaac Gabriele Secovich.   She was predeceased by her sister, Dorothea Hutchins   Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 11:00 am in the Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home, 110 New Athol Road, Orange. Burial will be private in Highland Cemetery. A calling hour will be held Wednesday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made in her memory to Quabbin Valley Healthcare – Activity Fund, 821 Daniel Shays Highway, Athol, MA 01331.  For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.fiskemurphymack.com. Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home 110 New Athol Road, Orange is directing arrangements.   $(document).ready(function(){ });