Florence R. (Boutelle) Copeland

ATHOL- Florence R. (Boutelle) Copeland, 95, of Silver Lake Street, died at home on Friday morning, October 18, 2024, surrounded by loved ones.

Born in Phillipston on March 4, 1929, she was the daughter of William A. and Mabel V. (Corey) Boutelle and grew up on the family farm on Ward Hill. Florence graduated from Athol High School in 1947.

In 1951, Florence married Thomas Copeland and they enjoyed 62 years of marriage until his death in 2013.

Florence had been a receptionist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst before retiring. She had also been a waitress at the former Fox Run Restaurant in Phillipston, worked for a time at the L. S. Starrett Company and had also run a bake shop from home.

Florence enjoyed collecting anything with owls or gnomes as well as taking pictures.

She was a member of the DAV Auxiliary, the Athol and Orange American Legion Auxiliary, AARP, the Elks Emblem Club, many class reunion committees as well as organizing bus trips with Fox Tours.

Florence is survived by her “son” Francis White and his wife Diane of Athol; her friend and companion, Ronald Ferguson, of Athol; and many nephews, nieces and cousins, as well as a sister in law, Patricia Boutelle and “daughter in law” Amanda Soutiere.

Besides her parents and husband, Florence was predeceased by brothers Carlton E. Boutelle and John Boutelle Sr. and his wife Mary, as well as a sister, Hazel (Boutelle) Cook, a nephew, John Boutelle Jr., and  “son” Terry Soutiere.

A calling hour will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024 from 10-11a.m. , at Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange.

A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., in the funeral home, with Rev. Dr. Candi Ashenden of the Athol Congregational Church officiating.

Interment will follow in Silver Lake Cemetery, Athol.

In lieu of flowers, donations suggested to the DAV Chapter 46, 47 Pine Street, Athol, MA 01331 or to the Town of Athol, memo NQ Animal Shelter- Florence Copeland, c/o Athol Police Dept., 280 Exchange Street, Athol, MA 01331

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

Guest book online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

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