HELEN D. URBANOVITCH

     Helen “Dot” Urbanovitch, oldest resident of Oakham, passed away peacefully at home Tuesday, October 10, 2017, at age 101. She was born in Worcester, MA, and lived in Holden and Rutland before retiring to Oakham in 1974. ‘Dot’ was a waitress, and stitcher before moving to Rutland, where she and her husband Peter bought the OxBow. ‘Dot and Pete’ ran the Oxbow for many years, making memories and lifelong friends along with a livelihood.

After selling the OxBow, they retired and built a house in Oakham. Dot was very active with the Council on Aging, serving as recording secretary for many years. She enjoyed craft classes offered there, as well as many trips taken with the Council. She was an avid reader, and attended the Rutland Library Book Discussion Group until hearing issues made it difficult to participate. Even when she stopped going, she would read the current book along with the group. Dot was an avid knitter and crocheter, making many beautiful blankets, tablecloths and articles of clothing for friends and family.

Dot was an enthusiastic bird watcher, and fed them year round, observing them from the comfort of her heated glass enclosed porch. She had a front-row seat to a variety of wildlife that wandered out of the woods and through her yard, and loved seeing all her ‘visitors’.

Dot was predeceased by her former husband, Carl Gibbons, her husband Peter Urbanovitch; her son, Peter Urbanovitch Jr.; her daughter, Joan Sullivan; and all her siblings. She leaves her son, Robert Gibbons and his wife, Lois of Stafford, VA; her granddaughters, Tara Appelbaum of Maryland, Susan Adamski and her husband, Michael of Rutland, Patti Kemp of Albuquerque, NM, JoAnn Sullivan of Gastonia NC; and a grandson, John Kemp and his wife Linda, of Nassau, NY. She also leaves great-grandchildren, James and Brendan Rutherford, Rachel Kemp, Ray Phillips and his wife, Bonnie, Crystal Dudley and her husband, Jeremy, Andrew Appelbaum and his wife, Bridgette, Heather Tilton and her husband, Nathan; as well as great-great grandchildren, Mathew Kemp, Lucy and Mason Dudley and Jennifer Phillips.

Dot was also a member of St. Patrick’s parish in Rutland, and her faith was very important to her.

The family would like to express sincere appreciation to our angel Deanna for her devoted care, enabling Dot to spend her remaining years comfortably at home. Also our indispensable friends from Seniors Helping Seniors: Liz Foss, who arranged a schedule to accommodate all coverage needs, and Linda D., Linda W., Fran L., Janet H., Donna C., Kathy C. and Karen whose compassionate care extended her circle of friends to improve the quality of her life at home.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Dot’s family at calling hours from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 15, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. Funeral services for Dot will be held on Monday, October 16, from the funeral home with a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Parish, 248 Main Street, Rutland. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Patrick’s Food Pantry, 258 Main Street, Rutland, MA 01543 or to the VNA of Worcester County, 120 Thomas Street, Worcester, MA 01608.