Bertha Witherell 89 of Westhampton
Passed away peacefully at Loomis Nursing Home in Holyoke, MA on July 24, 2017
Born April 28, 1928 to Albert and Hattie (Whitford) LaRocque of Holyoke.
She attended the Holyoke Schools and graduated from Holyoke High School in 1946.
Met and married a returning home soldier, Merrill A. Witherell of Westhampton on May 1, 1948. Aside from being wife and mother, she stepped in to be the bread winner for the family after a construction accident to her husband. Also, she was a co-owner of Windy Acres Campground in Westhampton for 26 years and earlier to that she was co-owner of Time Square Restaurant in Easthampton and Mert & Bert's Fish 'N' Chips in Greenfield.
She had many talents, she was able to play the piano and organ by ear, and later was taught to read sheet music by her sister-in-law Sandy LaRocque, to play the accordion. Her enjoyments in life were sewing, knitting, crocheting, playing cards and bowling. Her hobbies were anything to do with crafts.
She leaves her daughters: Marilyn R. Witherell of Westhampton, Kathleen R. Gainey of Oklawaha, FL, Tammy L. Brakey and husband David Brakey of Easthampton and daughter-in-law Linda Witherell of Westfield, MA, 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, brother George LaRocque of Murfreesboro,TN, sister Barbara Brin and husband Tony Brin of South Hadley, MA, sister-in-law Emily LaRocque of Holyoke,MA, sister Charlette Fontaine and husband Gene of Beverly, FL, Sister Pat Therrien of Apple Valley, MN brother-in-law Bill Welch of Boone, NC, brother Charles Williams and wife Janice of Richmond, VA, and sister-in-law Mary Vachula of Easthampton,MA, and many nieces and nephews.
She is predeceased by her parents, husband Merrill A. Witherell, son Raymond Witherell, son Richard Witherell all of Easthampton, MA, brother Frank LaRocque, Euclid LaRocque and sister Mary Tanner all of Holyoke, MA and a sister Julie Welch of Boone, NC
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation in her name to either Western Mass Chapter Alzheimer's Association, 264 Cottage Street, Springfield, MA 01104 or Holyoke VNA Hospice Life Care, 575 Beech Street, Holyoke, MA 01040
The family will receive relatives and friends Friday August 4th from 10 to 11am at the Mitchell Funeral Home 15 Park Street Easthampton MA, A Funeral Service will be at 11am followed by burial in Westhampton Center Cemetery. www.mitchellcofuneralhome.com
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