Patricia M. Wheeler

1923 - 2011

BOSCAWEN – Patricia M. Wheeler passed away Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, at Merrimack County Nursing Home in Boscawen.

Patricia was born in May 1923 in Toledo, Ohio, the daughter of Gertrude and Earl Meyer. She graduated from Libby High School in Toledo and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Toledo in 1945. While in college, she was an active member of the Tau Theta Sorority and also participated in USO events to support the troops during World War II. Pat met and fell in love with a young sailor, Edwin S. Wheeler of Keene, at a USO event in 1941. They wed in 1944 and honeymooned in San Francisco before Ed shipped out to the Pacific later that year. After the war, they moved to Keene. They also lived in Rutland, Vt., for seven years, Marlborough for 30 years and, more recently, in Concord and Boscawen.

Pat was a wonderful community citizen and active church member wherever she lived. She was a member of the Women's Fellowship of United Church of Christ in Keene from 1961 to 2007, where she held a number of offices, including president and treasurer. She was also a member of the Marlborough Community Association and the Marlborough Garden Club, where she held similar positions.

Ever the devoted mother, Patricia worked as a full time homemaker until her three children were well established in school. She worked for Yankee Magazine and Peerless Insurance Company for 20 years as a claims adjuster in the accident and health field before retiring in 1987. Pat and Ed enjoyed a long and happy retirement together. They traveled extensively and wintered in Bisbee, Ariz., for eight years. Pat was an accomplished quilter and an avid reader who also loved cooking, gardening and spending time with her family.

Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Ed Wheeler of Boscawen; two brothers, Earl William Meyer and wife, Barbara, of Salem, S.C., and G. Robert Meyer and wife, Sue, of Toledo, Ohio; three children, Dr. Kirke Wheeler and his wife, Michelle, of Hopkinton, Diana Wormwood and her husband, Rick, of Rutland, Vt., and Sarah Sticha and her husband, Scott, of Apple Valley, Utah; four grandchildren, Sara Duval and her husband, Neil, and Michael Wheeler, both of Hopkinton, Lindsay Wormwood of Naches, Wash., and Caroline Wheeler of Grenada, Spain; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces and great-nephews and great-nieces.

Calling hours will not be held.

The funeral service will be held Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 11 a.m. at the United Church of Christ in Keene.

Memorial donations may be made to the Marlborough Community Association, Attention: Gene Woodard, 166 Main St., Marlborough, NH 03455; or the United Church of Christ, Woman's Fellowship, 23 Central Square, Keene, NH 03431.