1915
Dorothy
2007
Dorothy E. Giles
November 19, 1915 — December 28, 2007
Dorothy E. (Clogston) Giles, 92, of 310 High Street, Gardner died Friday, December 28th in the home of her daughter Judy Giles surrounded by her loving family, following a long illness.
Born in Gardner on November 19, 1915, she was the daughter of William H. and May Evelyn (DeWolfe) Clogston.
Mrs. Giles attended Gardner High School through her Junior year, and in 1933 graduated from Turners Falls High School. In 1937 Dorothy graduated from the Boston School of Dental Nursing.
Dorothy's life was filled with a wide variety of occupations and accomplishments. She had her own home business, "Memory Flowers", where she dried and framed brides' bouquets. She also ran Dorothy's Homemade Fudge from her home in the 1950's, advertising in Yankee Magazine and selling to local supermarkets. In the 1960's she worked in the Heywood Hospital office, fundraising for the construction of the new Favor Wing. She later worked in the office at Heywood Wakefield Co. of Gardner. She took a course in floral design at Betty's Flower Shop in Gardner, and worked there on the holidays. She later worked at DeBonis Florist in Fitchburg for 14 years, retiring in 1982.
Dorothy married her husband, John O. Giles on March 18, 1939. In 1948, they purchased the home Dorothy still resided in, Gardner's first stagecoach inn. Mrs. Giles home of almost 60 years reflects her varied talents, including rug braiding, quilted chair pads, painting, creating cut and pierced lampshades, making afghans, creating berry bowls, gardening and canning. She also enjoyed making quilts and has made 19 quilts for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dorothy also enjoyed reading, fishing, picnicking, snowmobiling and was an avid Red Sox fan. For 60 years, she and friends enjoyed a card club playing "Tripoley." She enjoyed playing Bingo at both the Westminster Senior Center and Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Gardner. Dorothy loved her family and lived her life as a devoted mother and grandmother. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, including her devoted companion, her cat "Inky".
Mrs. Giles lived an active, full life. She and her husband John traveled across the country in their motor home several times. They went to Alaska for their 50th wedding anniversary. They also traveled to England, Scotland, Switzerland, Austria and went on cruises. They wintered in Kissimmee, Florida for 22 years.
Mrs. Giles was a member of the First Baptist Church of South Gardner, its' Womens Federation and a longtime member of its Harmony Circle. She was also on the church's Decorating Committee. She was a member of Chapter 75 Jessamine Order of Eastern Star, and of the Westminster Friendship Club. She was a former member of the Gardner Women's Club and its American Home Department. She was a past president of the Gardner Ladies Shrine Club.
Dorothy and her sisters, Pauline H. Erickson, age 95 and Evelyn M. Neunherz, age 93, all were subjects in a Boston University Long-Life Study.
Her husband of 61 years, John O. Giles, died in 2000.
She leaves one son, John "Bill" W. Giles, PhD. and his wife Sharon of Crestview, FL; three daughters, Linda M. Merikanto of Stoneham, Rebecca "Becky" A. Wood and her husband Larry of Winchendon, and Judy E. Giles of Gardner; two sisters, Pauline H. Erickson of Center Sandwich, NH and Evelyn M. Neunherz of Venice, FL; seven grandchildren, John T. Giles and his wife Margaret of Fort Walton Beach, FL, Scott S. Wood and his wife Amy of Winchendon, Kristin E. Ferragamo and her husband Troy of Portsmouth, NH, Laura L. Howell and her husband Troy of Niceville, FL, Dr. Jennifer A. Wood-Boucher and her husband Andrew of Gardner, Jessica E. Giles of Gardner, and Jeffrey J. Giles and his wife Valerie of Gardner; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one brother, Paul Clogston of Pittsburg, NH.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 2nd at 10:00 a.m. in the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner. Reverend Brenda Casavoy, Chaplain of the Gardner Visiting Nursing Association will officiate. Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Gardner.
Calling hours in the funeral home will be Tuesday, January 1st from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gardner Visiting Nursing Association, Hospice Program, 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA 01440.
Born in Gardner on November 19, 1915, she was the daughter of William H. and May Evelyn (DeWolfe) Clogston.
Mrs. Giles attended Gardner High School through her Junior year, and in 1933 graduated from Turners Falls High School. In 1937 Dorothy graduated from the Boston School of Dental Nursing.
Dorothy's life was filled with a wide variety of occupations and accomplishments. She had her own home business, "Memory Flowers", where she dried and framed brides' bouquets. She also ran Dorothy's Homemade Fudge from her home in the 1950's, advertising in Yankee Magazine and selling to local supermarkets. In the 1960's she worked in the Heywood Hospital office, fundraising for the construction of the new Favor Wing. She later worked in the office at Heywood Wakefield Co. of Gardner. She took a course in floral design at Betty's Flower Shop in Gardner, and worked there on the holidays. She later worked at DeBonis Florist in Fitchburg for 14 years, retiring in 1982.
Dorothy married her husband, John O. Giles on March 18, 1939. In 1948, they purchased the home Dorothy still resided in, Gardner's first stagecoach inn. Mrs. Giles home of almost 60 years reflects her varied talents, including rug braiding, quilted chair pads, painting, creating cut and pierced lampshades, making afghans, creating berry bowls, gardening and canning. She also enjoyed making quilts and has made 19 quilts for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dorothy also enjoyed reading, fishing, picnicking, snowmobiling and was an avid Red Sox fan. For 60 years, she and friends enjoyed a card club playing "Tripoley." She enjoyed playing Bingo at both the Westminster Senior Center and Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Gardner. Dorothy loved her family and lived her life as a devoted mother and grandmother. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, including her devoted companion, her cat "Inky".
Mrs. Giles lived an active, full life. She and her husband John traveled across the country in their motor home several times. They went to Alaska for their 50th wedding anniversary. They also traveled to England, Scotland, Switzerland, Austria and went on cruises. They wintered in Kissimmee, Florida for 22 years.
Mrs. Giles was a member of the First Baptist Church of South Gardner, its' Womens Federation and a longtime member of its Harmony Circle. She was also on the church's Decorating Committee. She was a member of Chapter 75 Jessamine Order of Eastern Star, and of the Westminster Friendship Club. She was a former member of the Gardner Women's Club and its American Home Department. She was a past president of the Gardner Ladies Shrine Club.
Dorothy and her sisters, Pauline H. Erickson, age 95 and Evelyn M. Neunherz, age 93, all were subjects in a Boston University Long-Life Study.
Her husband of 61 years, John O. Giles, died in 2000.
She leaves one son, John "Bill" W. Giles, PhD. and his wife Sharon of Crestview, FL; three daughters, Linda M. Merikanto of Stoneham, Rebecca "Becky" A. Wood and her husband Larry of Winchendon, and Judy E. Giles of Gardner; two sisters, Pauline H. Erickson of Center Sandwich, NH and Evelyn M. Neunherz of Venice, FL; seven grandchildren, John T. Giles and his wife Margaret of Fort Walton Beach, FL, Scott S. Wood and his wife Amy of Winchendon, Kristin E. Ferragamo and her husband Troy of Portsmouth, NH, Laura L. Howell and her husband Troy of Niceville, FL, Dr. Jennifer A. Wood-Boucher and her husband Andrew of Gardner, Jessica E. Giles of Gardner, and Jeffrey J. Giles and his wife Valerie of Gardner; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one brother, Paul Clogston of Pittsburg, NH.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 2nd at 10:00 a.m. in the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner. Reverend Brenda Casavoy, Chaplain of the Gardner Visiting Nursing Association will officiate. Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Gardner.
Calling hours in the funeral home will be Tuesday, January 1st from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gardner Visiting Nursing Association, Hospice Program, 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA 01440.
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Service Details
Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008 10:00am, Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols St., Gardner
Interment Details
Wildwood Cemetery, Gardner
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