Loretta (White) Peairs

WESTBOROUGH- Loretta (White) Peairs, 91, died on July 13, 2013 at home in the company of her family.  She was born in New York City on January 12, 1922 to Francis and Loretta (Harkins) White, and grew up in the Bronx and on Long Island.  Loretta first worked for Metropolitan Life and then the First Army Air Corps where she met Chalmers Addison "Jasper" Peairs, Jr., whom she married on May 23, 1943. After moving with her family to Westborough, Loretta worked for many years at the Westborough Public Library, starting as a volunteer in the Children’s Room and later working at the front desk and in acquisitions.  She retired in order to devote herself to the full time care of Chalmers, but enjoyed volunteering at the library for many years into her retirement.

Loretta had a lifelong interest in the arts, and enjoyed visiting museums, attending theatrical and musical performances, and reading books.  She also loved the natural world and enjoyed gardening, feeding the birds, and observing the local wildlife.  All who knew her will remember her most of all as a kind, generous, and witty soul who was deeply devoted to her family and friends.

She is survived by her son Frank and wife Fran Longo-Peairs of Fort Collins, Colorado, her son Hervey and wife Marjorie of Westborough, and six grandchildren.  She was was predeceased by her parents, her husband Chalmers, her brother Frank White, her daughter Wilmoth Hammersley, and her grandson Jack Peairs.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2013, 11:00 AM, in the Parkman Chapel of The Congregational Church of Westborough, 57 West Main Street. In lieu of flowers, donations in Loretta's memory may be made to Abby's House, 52 High Street, Worcester, MA, 01609.

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