Ella Mae Harlow

Ella Mae “Penny” Harlow, 91, died peacefully on Friday, July 9, 2021 at Glenmeadow Assisted Living in Longmeadow. Born in Lowell, MA to the late Hugh and Marcia (Burrill) Penney, she was a graduate of Northfield Mt. Herman School and the New England Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in Boston. Penny worked as a Registered Nurse at New Britain General Hospital for 4 years before working at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield for 30 years in the ICU then the Renal Unit. Later, she worked at Pioneer Valley Dialysis for 5 years until her retirement. Penny was a faithful member of the Wilbraham United Church for over 50 years. She enjoyed gardening and traveling in her spare time. Vacations with her entire family to Old Orchard Beach and cruising gave her great joy. She often said her proudest accomplishment was her family.
She was predeceased by her son James Harlow in 1976 and her husband Franklin W. Harlow in 2009 and her son in law David Thomas in 2019, as well as her loyal canine companion “Bailey.” Penny is survived by her children; David Harlow and his wife Renee of Swanzey, NH, Linda Thomas of Spofford, NH, Susan Cunningham and her husband Paul of East Longmeadow and Laurie Whittaker and her husband John of Chesterfield, NH, sisters; Ruth Carter of VA and Jean Fickett of CA, 12 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. The family would like to thank the caring staff at Glenmeadow, especially Vanessa, caretaker and wonderful friend to Penny.
A memorial service will be held on July 15th at 11:00 AM at Wilbraham United Church, 500 Main St. Wilbraham. A private burial will be held in Woodlawn Cemetery in Ayer, MA at a later date. Wilbraham Funeral Home, 2551 Boston Rd., Wilbraham is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 or online at www.cancer.org.