Susan M. (Keirstead) Whitcher

RUTLAND – Susan M. (Keirstead) Whitcher, 74, passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at the Lutheran Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center after an illness. She was born in New Bedford, the daughter of Roland H. and Helen (Howe) Keirstead and had lived in Rutland for most of her life.

She leaves a son, Keith V. Whitcher, Jr. of Oakham; three daughters, Linda J. LaCasse and her husband, David of Acworth, NH, Karen A. Gates of Princeton and Deborah L. Cyr and her husband, Jeffrey of Spencer; two sisters, Betty Eddy of Rutland and Joan Gentile of Worcester; six grandchildren, Jonathan Whitcher, Matthew Brown, Hannah Gates, Graham Gates, Jordyn Cyr and Megan Cyr; and several nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by a sister, Shirley Wilkins and her former husband, Keith V. Whitcher, Sr.

Susan graduated from David Hale Fanning Trade High School in Worcester. She worked for the Rutland Police Department as a home based dispatcher for several years, as well as serving as one of the first woman appointed as a member of the Rutland Fire Department Auxiliary. Later, Susan worked as a dispatcher and then a trip advisor for AAA.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 12 noon in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, 217 Richards Avenue (Rte. 56), Paxton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472. To share a memory or offer an online condolence, please "Sign the Guestbook" on this page.