Virginia M. Wheeler
Bennington- Virginia Marie “Molly” Wheeler, 86, of North Street, East Dover, died peacefully Thursday morning, August 22, at the Bennington Health & Rehabilitation Center with her family by her side following a period of declining health.
Mrs. Wheeler was born in Norwich, CT, on May 24, 1933, the daughter of Patrick and Mary (Carey) DeVivo. She was raised and educated in Norwich and was a graduate of Windham High School in Willimantic, CT, Class of 1951. She went on to attend Saint Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Hartford, earning her RN diploma in 1954. She later earned her bachelor’s degree and Masters in Psychology from Connecticut College in New London in 1977.
She had been employed as a registered nurse psychologist at the Brattleboro Retreat. She retired from there in 1996. Previously she was administrative director at the Outpatient Clinic at Lawrence Hospital in New London and previously worked at Manchester, CT, Hospital. Her first position in nursing was at Willimantic Memorial Hospital.
A devout Catholic, Mrs. Wheeler was a communicant of Saint Michael’s Roman Catholic Church where she served as a eucharistic minister. She was also a member of the Daughters of Isabella, Ave Maria Circle #128. Of her leisure time activities, she enjoyed gardening, quilting, alpine skiing, travel, and time spent with her family.
On February 19, 1955, at Saint Joseph’s Church in Willimantic, she was married to Rowe Wheeler Jr., who survives.
Besides her faithful and devoted husband of 64 years she leaves her six children, Michael J. Wheeler and Karen, of Mystic, CT, Timothy P. Wheeler and Barbara, of Amesbury, MA, Jeffrey E. Wheeler of Ft Myers, FL, Rowe J. Wheeler and Cindi, of Rome, NY, Millie Brosseau and Rick, of Mansfield, CT and Jay Wheeler and Julianne, of New London, CT; sister Mary K. McCarthy, of Colorado Springs, CO, 18 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by two brothers, Patrick and James DeVivo.
The Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated Friday, August 29, at Saint Michael’s Catholic Church in Brattleboro. Burial and committal rites followed in Saint Michael’s Parish Cemetery.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the staff at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and at the Bennington Health & Rehabilitation Center for the wonderful care she received during her illness.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in her name may be made to Saint Michael’s School, 47 Walnut Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301. To sign an online guest book with messages of condolence to the family visit www.atamaniuk.com.
