I. Sylvia Perkins

TEMPLETON – I. Sylvia (Lehtinen) Perkins, 88, of Wellington Rd, died peacefully Sunday afternoon, March 20th in Heywood Hospital, Gardner with her family by her side.

She was born in Gardner on January 10, 1928, daughter of the late William and Ida (Hanninen) Lehtinen and was a graduate of Gardner High School.  She had been a resident of Templeton since 1964.

Sylvia had worked as a bookkeeper in the family furniture business, the Ralph Curcio Co.  She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Gardner and sang in the choir for many years.  She was proud of her Finnish heritage and spoke fluent Finnish.   Sylvia enjoyed nature, gardening and birds and spending time at her family camp at the lake.  Sylvia also loved her cats and especially treasured spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Her husband of 31 years, Frederick H. Perkins, died in 1994.  She leaves two daughters, Annette I. Perkins Huff and her husband William of Cedar Park, TX and Isabel S. Perkins-Lovejoy and her husband David of West Hartford, CT; three beloved grandchildren, Kathryn Sylvia Huff, Alexander Frederick Huff and Jack Perkins Lovejoy; her devoted brother David Lehtinen and his wife, Donna of Gardner and several cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 26th at 11 A.M. at Faith Lutheran Church, 627 Green Street, Gardner.  Burial will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Gardner.

Calling hours in the church will precede the funeral Saturday from 10 to 11 A.M.

Memorial donations may be made to Templeton Firefighters Association, 2 School Street, Baldwinville, MA. 01436.

The family would like to thank Dr. Sheila Donnelly, Dr. Seema Sahib and the nursing staff at Heywood Hospital for their loving attention and care.

Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is directing arrangements.

www.stone-ladeau.com