BRATTLEBORO, VT – Frances Edith Wheeler, 84, of Sunny Acres Road, a resident of Brattleboro since 1950 died Monday night, December 2, 2013 at Vernon Green Nursing Home following a period of failing health. Mrs. Wheeler was born in Westfield, MA on December 11, 1928 the daughter of Walter and Edith (Angell) Hicks, Sr.
She attended Westfield public schools and was a graduate of Westfield High School, Class of 1947.
She was employed at the former BookPress in Brattleboro working as a book inspector retiring from the company in December of 1991 following over 30 dedicated and faithful years of service. Previously she had worked at the former H. Margolin Pocketbook Shop.
For several years she served as a volunteer at the former Frances Hicks School in Brattleboro. With her husband she was a lifelong caregiver and advocate for her handicapped daughter Elizabeth “Betsy” Wheeler who passed away in 2004. Of her leisure time activities, she enjoyed travel, embroidery and was an avid reader. She loved people and was very inquisitive always taking an interest in everyone’s well being. She was a faithful and devoted wife and a loving mother whose life centered around her family.
On May 20, 1950 at First Congregational Church in Westfield, she was married to Clarence H. Wheeler who predeceased her on March 30, 2002. She is survived by one daughter and her dedicated caregiver, Jane Wheeler of Brattleboro; one brother, Philip Hicks and his wife Linda of Santa Maria, CA, and several loved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Walter Hicks, Jr. and William Hicks and a sister, Elizabeth Hicks.
Friends are invited to call at the Atamaniuk Funeral Home on Friday, December 6th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Private graveside services in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery will be for the immediate family only.
Memorial contributions in Mrs. Wheeler’s name may be made to The Betsy Wheeler Memorial Fund, a special program to help pay for lifesaving procedures and medications for pets of Windham County families in need of financial assistance in care of the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
To sign an online register book or send messages of e-condolence please visit www.atamaniuk.com. Arrangements are under the care of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
