Ethel “Gloria” (Shenett) Perkins-Hellpap, 92, of Whitman, Massachusetts, transitioned to her eternal life on February 9, 2023 after a brief illness at the Massachusetts General Hospital.
She was born on July 6, 1930 in Abington, Massachusetts. The daughter of Edith (Pike) Shenett and Jerrod Shenett. Predeceased by her sister Geraldine Lincoln formerly of Rockland. Sister to Edward Shenett of Plymouth.
Gloria worked for many years at the Michigan Abrasive Products in Braintree. She was able to run all of the different machines and equipment throughout the factory and had her own toolbox to fix any machines that went down from production. Over the years, she worked her way up to a supervisory role, which she held until she left the company.
Gloria later moved on to the Halliday Lithograph Book Bindery in Plympton, working her way up the ranks to shift supervisor, a role she had much pride in and held for many years. She retired from Halliday, and spent the rest of her life doing the things she loved, first and foremost, spending time with her family.
Gloria was an avid gardener; she had the yard full of flowers and plants, as well as maintaining a vegetable garden. She was always known for her ‘green thumb’. She also loved to cook and bake.
She attended the Rockland school system.
Gloria was the wife of Richard ‘Dick’ Perkins from Middleboro, and they were married from 1953 until his death in 2010. She later married Christian ‘Chris’ Hellpap, Jr. from Wonewoc, Wisconsin in 2016, until his death in 2022.
She is survived by her children, Donna Mattson and her husband John of North Carolina, her son Allen Perkins of Whitman, and her son Dana Perkins and his wife Rhonda of Whitman. Nana adored her grandchildren, Terri Needleman and her husband Ron, Christina Murphy and her husband Matt, Bryan Mattson, Kimberly Riley and her husband Jon, Kyle Perkins and his girlfriend Isabelle Hermitage, Samantha Bailey and her husband Mike, Mallory Mason and her husband Jay; and her eight great-grandchildren Andrew Dewolf, Emily Dewolf, Teagan Murphy, Dylan Murphy, Brayden Riley, McKayla Riley, Mia Jean Ward and Isla Jean Bailey, and many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to attend her visiting hours on Tuesday February 14 from 5-7 PM in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58 @ the rotary) Whitman and her funeral service on Wednesday February 15 at 10 AM in the Chapel. Burial will follow in the Northville Cemetery, East Bridgewater.
In lieu of flowers a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or any charity of your choice in Gloria’s name would be an honor to her memory.
Arrangements by the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, for full obituary, online condolences and directions please visit www.blanchardfc.com