Mary Louise Wheeler

Mary Louise (Wheeler) Almeida, 94, formerly of Ludlow MA, passed away on April 23, 2017 in Hampden, MA. She loved the natural beauty of her home in Ludlow, as well as the White Mountains of NH and her native town of Lancaster, NH, where she was born on May 25, 1922, daughter of Clinton B. and Pearl (Kimball) Wheeler. She graduated from Lancaster Academy in 1940, attended Boston University, and Bay Path Business College in Boston, MA. In 1943 she joined the U.S. Navy Department's Bureau of Ordnance in Washington, DC as an assistant supervisor in the financial division and in 1947 she was employed by Massachusetts Mutual Insurance Co in the Actuarial Department in Springfield MA, where she truly excelled in her career. In 1952 she transferred to the Travel Bureau in the Personnel Department at Mass Mutual, and rose to corporate travel manager where she oversaw the implementation of the early American Airlines SABRE reservation system. She was a member of the National Passenger Traffic Association and former national chair of the organization's research committee. She married Joseph Almeida, her soulmate, and established Skyline Farm, on Lyons Street in Ludlow, MA where they raised Shropshire sheep, many cats, and their beloved Wheaton terriers, including her most recent dog, Meghan. She is survived by her loving family, including her nephews Stephen B. Wheeler, Christopher R. Wheeler, John Alves, Robert Alves, Arthur Fidalgo, Dominic Toretti, Gino Toretti, and nieces Marsha Tucker, Mia Alves, Denise Bisaillon, Michelle Moore, Janine Bisaillon-Cary and their families. She was predeceased by her husband Joseph Almeida, her brother Robert K. Wheeler, her nephews Mark E. Wheeler, William Alves, and niece Nancy Cameron. In her last years, Deborah Torretti was a great source of comfort and care to Mary Louise. Mary Louise was a lover of nature. She was a bright and curious woman with a passion for art, current events, and travel; and was an active member of the Episcopal Church. Her funeral service will take place at Saint Peter's Episcopal Church, 45 Buckingham Street, in Springfield at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 6th, followed by her burial on Monday noon, May 8th in Lancaster, NH in the Summer Street Cemetery. For further information and online condolences, please visit Ludlow Funeral Home at ludlowfuneralhome.com

Mary Louise Wheeler

May 25, 1922 - April 23, 2017