Myrtle A. (Keddy) Dwelly, 94, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 17, 2018 at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester surrounded by her loving family. Born and raised in Barre, Myrtle was the daughter of Ernest C. and Marion C. (Rutherford) Keddy and lived over 14 years in Oakham and 57 years in Holden before moving to the Briarwood Retirement Community in 2012.

Myrtle was a National Honor Society graduate of Barre High School, class of 1942. After graduation she went to work at Wyman Gordon Company in Worcester as a secretary for several years before staying at home to raise her family. After an unforeseen turn of events, she re-entered the work force in 1959 and was rehired by Wyman Gordon, now in Grafton. With great perseverance and determination, Myrtle raised her family as a single mom, attended Assumption College, and became one of the first of five women, honored at Wyman Gordon Company to be promoted to a managerial position. After 29 years of service, she retired as a Sales Service Specialist in 1988.

Her life was guided by her strong faith in God and commitment to her two daughters, Sandy and Janice. Myrtle was a faithful member of the First Congregational Church of Holden. She served as a Deaconess and was a longtime volunteer at The Corner Shop. She was a proud member of the Bell Ringers and sang in the church choir where they traveled and performed in Europe several times. She also traveled extensively with her dear friends, Barbara Frost, Lucy and Ann Hovenesian, particularly their annual trip to the Saratoga, NY for the Opera and Races. This group of friends rarely missed their yearly vacation to York Beach ME.

Myrtle’s favorite pastimes were working on crossword puzzles, sewing, knitting, cooking, and attending Broadway musicals and operas. She was a member of the Worcester Music Guild, the Wyman Gordon Retirement Club and Briarwood’s “Old Sew and Sews” who sewed dresses for less fortunate young girls and belonged to the Briarwood “Footsie” Wednesday night card group.

First and foremost, Myrtle was a devoted mom and grandmother. She was so proud of their accomplishments and rarely missed an opportunity to let them know how much they meant to her. She will be remembered for her strong conviction, dynamic personality, and selfless nature.

She will be remembered and sadly missed by her two daughters and families. Daughter, Janice L. Helle and her husband, Richard of Princeton and their children, Dr. Scott Helle and his wife, Eileen and their children, Victoria, Teagan, Shannon and Logan; Kristin Helle and her sons, James and Benjamin; and Heidi and her husband, Dr. Christopher Millazzo and their two children, Maxwell and Lucianne.

Daughter, Sandra L. Szczypien and her husband, Paul of Holden and their children, Lynne Stewart and her two daughters, Sarah and Ashley; Amanda Osterberg and her husband, Frederick and their son, Edward; Pamela McCarthy and her husband, Kristopher, and their children, Chloe and Benjamin. Sandra’s predeceased son, Peter J. Wilson who leaves his son, Griffin and his son, Logan.

She also leaves a brother, Francis Keddy of Stark, New Hampshire, as well as, many devoted nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and grandson, Peter, Myrtle is predeceased by four brothers, Norman, Clifford, John, and James, and four sisters, Alma Clark Splaine, Ruth J. Drolet, Mildred Viitala, and Mary Adamitis Hopps.

There will be calling hours from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, September 20th at Miles Funeral Home. Relatives and friends are invited to honor Myrtle’s life by attending a funeral service at 11 am on Friday, September 21, at the First Congregational Church of Holden, 1180 Main St., Holden. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wachusett Greenways, P.O. Box 121, Holden, MA 01520.