Viola A. Wellen

Viola Ann Wellen, 94, formerly of Bradford, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at her daughter's home in Asheville, NC, surrounded by her loving and caring family.
She was born in Marlborough MA, on December 27, 1930, daughter of the late Salvatore Zarba and Carmela Ferro Zarba.
Viola graduated from Marlborough High School along with her future husband, Donald, in the Class of 1948. She went on to work as a Dental Assistant for Dr. Paglia in Marlborough. Viola and Donald moved to California as newlyweds, in 1954, and later moved their family to Michigan, Oregon, Indiana, and Wisconsin before coming "home" to New England in 1981. After many years as a homemaker, Viola returned to dental office work for Dr. John Doykos in Lawrence, MA until her retirement.
In every place she called home, Viola made friends through her church and in her neighborhood. She was a member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas and volunteered at Sacred Hearts Parish in Bradford MA for many years. She loved to travel, taking trips with her sisters and her church friends and filling photo albums with new friends made along the way.
She was predeceased by her cherished and loving husband Donald E. Wellen, Sr., who passed away in 2002. She was also predeceased by her brother Anthony Zarba, and her sisters Lillian Jackson, Josephine Laptewicz, Gloria Clapp and Albina Mariano.
Viola is survived by her loving children Donald E. Wellen, Jr. (Brenda) of San Angelo, TX, George F. Wellen (Ann) of Mandeville, LA, Dianna W. Traylor (Steven), of Asheville, NC, and Mary A. Christie (Ronald) of Concord, NH. She was the delightful and loving grandmother to David Wellen (Amanda), Laura Wellen (Levere), Steven Christie (Kristen), and Julie Christie (Em), and great grandmother to Newton G. Wellen. She also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend her visitation on Wednesday, December 17, from 9:30-10:30 in the H.L. Farmer & Sons Bradford Funeral Home, 210 South Main St., Bradford. Her Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 AM in the Sacred Hearts Church, 165 South Main St., Bradford. Friends and family are welcome to a celebration of Viola's life at Maria's Family Restaurant, 81 Essex St., Haverhill immediately following the mass. A private interment will take place at the Southborough Rural Cemetery, Southborough, MA.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the St Vincent De Paul Food Pantry, Sacred Hearts Parish, 48 South Chestnut St., Bradford, MA 01835, or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. To share a memory or for more information, please visit www.farmerfuneralhomes.com