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BORN
1930
DIED
2014
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Kathleen Rider Obituary
She was born Dec. 21, 1930, in Montague, to Frederick and Mabel (Thayer) Giles. Kathleen grew up in Cummington and was a resident of Westfield for the past 62 years.
She was employed as a secretary in the Westfield Public School System for 29 years, retiring in 1994.
Kathleen enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She held a special fondness for the hill town agricultural fairs and enjoyed traveling as a statistician for the Eastern Draft Horse Association.
She leaves two sons, Frederick W. Rider, Jr., and his wife Beth of Agawam, and Thomas W. Rider and his wife Cindy of Vero Beach, Fla. Kathleen also leaves a brother Burton F. Giles and his wife Margaret of Arcadia, Fla., and three grandchildren, Jennifer Rider of Agawam, Thomas W. Rider, Jr., and Melanie Rider both of Vero Beach, Fla.
She was predeceased by a sister Joyce Roberge and an infant son William C. Rider.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 10, at 1 p.m. at Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad St., Westfield. Calling hours are omitted. firtionadams.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Kathleen's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.
To sign a Guest Book, express condolences, share memories and read other obituaries, go to www.gazettenet.com/obituaries.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kathleen Rider
4 Entries
Patti Oleksak
March 30, 2014
Kathy was a pleasure! Always a smile on her face & kind words!! I enjoyed seeing her when she came to buy her paper daily!!! She will be missed!! RIP
Jim & Terry Malloy
March 19, 2014
We are all so going to miss Kathy. She always had a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye, and just loved the horse pulls. And she was a very special friend and travel partner w/ my Mom and I am sure that their traveling adventures will be missed this summer. Rest in peace dear lady. We love and miss you.
March 18, 2014
Remembering Kathy and all the good times we had playing shuffleboard and going out to eat to celebrate our fun times. Bill and Linda Fors
Sandi Puffer
March 18, 2014
I lived in the Village and felt honored to have known Kathy. May God keep her in his hands.
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