Evelyn Halpin Harrington

Evelyn (Gingras) Halpin Harrington, 82, passed away peacefully at UMass Memorial Hospital Thursday, June 18, 2009. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the doctors and staff of the 2nd floor SICU for their support and compassion.

Evelyn leaves her husband of twenty four years, Everett W. Harrington; her children, Robert Halpin and his wife Laurie of Auburn, James Halpin and his companion Jenni Eldridge of West Boylston, Janet Halpin and her husband Raymond Stevens of Shrewsbury, Carol Pellerin and her husband David of Auburn; step-children, Charlotte Dishke and Virginia Thomson; five grandchildren: Kim Halpin, Christine and Laura Pellerin, Carter and Spencer Stevens, and one rambunctious great grandchild, Eduardo James Cintron. She also leaves a sister Pauline Cloutier of Jefferson, a brother William P. Gingras, Jr. of Worcester, and many nephews and step-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her first husband Francis Halpin, who died in 1981, and a brother Robert Gingras.

Born in Worcester, daughter of Regina (Kelley) and William P. Gingras, Sr., Evelyn attended Indian Hill School and graduated from Commerce High School in 1945; she received a bachelor's degree in Gerontology from New Hampshire College in 1984.

Evelyn was an active woman, in addition to raising four children she held a variety of positions at George Wright, US Envelope, Worcester Community Action Council, OHSP, and was a volunteer coordinator at the Worcester Y and later Cushing Hospital in Framingham. She was also an organizer and activist, helping to improve life in Great Brook Valley, where she and her family lived for many years. She worked with youth at the Lincoln Neighborhood Center, was chief flapjack flipper for the free breakfast program, was instrumental in establishing GBV's day care and health centers as well as the neighborhood newspaper, Voice of the Valley. She also was a foster parent, fostering children on both long term and short term basis.

She retired shortly after marrying Everett but still kept busy, traveling extensively in their Airstream and as an active member of the Pakachoag Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, where she served as Worthy Matron. The defining passion of Evelyn's life was books. She was a voracious reader, sometimes having four or five books going at once.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, June 22nd, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. At 7 p.m. the Stella Chapter Order of the Eastern Star will conduct a ritual service. Evelyn's funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23rd, in All Saints Episcopal Church, 10 Irving St., Worcester. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Boylston. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Worcester Public Library (for the Great Brook Valley Branch), 3 Salem Sq., Worcester, MA 01608; or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104-2396.

www.milesfuneralhome.com