Jean W. (Wilgus) Walther

Jean W. Walther, 97, of Russell, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2020 surrounded by loving family in her home. Jean was born in Queens, NY on August 24, 1923, to the late Harold M. and Dorothy E. WIlgus. She graduated from W.C. Mepham High School in N. Bellmore, Long Island, NY in 1941 and Brenau College, Gainesville, GA in 1945 where she was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. Jean was employed by Double Day Publishing Co., Garden City, NY and The Rockefeller Foundation, NYC. In 1972, Jean and Ed began a sales agency known as Pedlars III selling gifts and home furnishings to retail stores in and around New England.  Steve joined in 1976 and is still running the business today. Jean was predeceased by her first husband Capt. Edgar N. Walther, USAF retired, and her second husband, Thomas P. Armstrong, her sister Dorothy C. Suss, her brother James A. Wilgus, her nephew John Wilgus and most recently, her daughter Emily C. Golinski. She is survived by her daughter and caregiver Karen W. McCann and son Steven Walther and his wife Karen, seven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, two nieces, and two nephews. Also, by marriage, she is survived by Thomas C. Armstrong, Pamela Apolant, Royanna Law, and Cynthia G. Cowan. Jean's favorite pastimes were reading, gardening, knitting, crocheting, attending the Springfield Symphony concerts, writing letters, and sending cards for every occasion to all her friends and family.  Jean was a super fan of the New England Patriot's. A graveside service will be held privately by the family at a later date. Her family would like to thank Baystate Hospice Care for the compassionate care they provided. Memorial contributions can be made in Jean's memory to St. Jude's Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or The National Wildlife Federation, PO Box 1583, Merrifield, VA 22116-1583. www.firtionadams.com

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