C. Virginia "Gidge" Adams

C. Virginia "Gidge" (Fredette) Adams, 85, of 162 Fredette Street, died Friday, September 05, 2008 at her home following a brief illness surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Athol, Massachusetts, September 12, 1922, the daughter of Ernest T. and Mary (Leamy) Fredette. She has lived in Athol all of her life, graduating from Athol High School in 1940 and from Regis College in Weston in 1944.

Following her graduation from college she taught in the Petersham schools and Athol High School for several years. She was a member of Our Lady Immaculate Church, teaching C.C.D. classes for several years. She was also a member of the Athol Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and the Athol Woman's Club. Gidge enjoyed playing bridge with her many friends and family. Her husband of 62 years, Clifford P. Adams died in June of 2007, they were high school sweethearts and married in 1945. Together they enjoyed many winters in Florida and traveling, in which they visited every state in the union. Gidge especially enjoyed spending time with all of her family.

She leaves six children, Debbie Kelly and her husband Ted of Weston, MA, Sally Ryder and her husband David of Tarpon Springs, FL, Larry Adams and his wife Debbie of Athol, Marylou Perry and her husband Rich of Stoughton, MA, Mike Adams and his wife Nancy of Tewksbury, MA and Katie Campion of Orange; 17 grandchildren, Sonja (Kelly) Farmer and her husband Brent, Jenifer (Ryder) O'Keefe and her husband William, Jason Ryder, Nick Adams, Jessica (Adams) Knoop and her husband Dave, Rebecca Adams, Gregory Perry, Erica Perry, Kim (Adams) Driscoll and her husband Patrick, Mike Adams II, David Adams and his wife Amanda, Peter Adams, Anthony Castellano, Amy Castellano, Veronica Campion, Geoffrey Campion and his wife Lindsey, and Jonathan Campion; four great-grandchildren, Jason Farmer, Erin Farmer, Kevin Farmer and Skylar Knoop. She also leaves a sister-in-law, Sally Fredette who she considered a sister.

She was predeceased by a granddaughter, Tammy Lee Ryder and a brother, E. Francis Fredette.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School Street, Athol with the Rev. Frederick Fraini, associate pastor, officiating. Those planning to attend the Mass are asked to go directly to the church. Family calling hours will precede the Mass at Higgins-O'Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol and burial will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to: Our Lady Immaculate Church , Building Fund, 192 School Street, Athol, MA 01331 or the Gardner Visiting Nursing Association, Hospice Program, 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA 01440. For further information or to share a memory with the family go to:

www.higginsoconnor

funeralhome.com