Marian H. Wheeler

Marian Harlow Wheeler, 99, a 77-year resident of Concord, MA, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017 at CareOne in Concord. Born on May 6, 1917, she was the beloved wife of 57 years to the late Russell "Rusty" Wheeler and the daughter of the late Robert and Estella Harlow of Shrewsbury, MA.

When Marian Harlow married Rusty Wheeler in 1940, she also became an adopted daughter of the Town of Concord and began a study of Concord history that would last for the rest of her life. She was a guide in the Alcott House, worked for the Chamber of Commerce at the Concord Visitors Center, and was the first woman to become an official tour guide for the town. Her book, Old Burying Grounds of Concord, documented for the first time the name and location of every person buried in the Concord cemeteries as of 1997 as well as interesting stories about them. She also wrote a walking tour guide of West Concord for the Concord Historical Commission. She was an active member of the Concord and West Concord Women's Club and the First Parish Church.

A consummate mother and homemaker, Marian loved to cook for her family and friends and later turned her culinary talents into a successful catering business after just one ad in the Concord Journal. She also cooked lunches for the Nashoba Brooks School. She attended Cushing Academy and the Boston School of Domestic Science where she trained to be a dietician that prepared her for motherhood, her happiest occupation.

Marian is survived by her daughters Roberta "Penny" and her husband Ralph Bradshaw of Encinitas, CA, Virginia "Ginny" and her husband John Robinson of San Diego, CA, Barbara and her husband, Frank LaJeunesse of Campton, NH, and daughter-in-law Ingrid Bletzer Wheeler of Concord, MA. She is also survived by her grandchildren Christopher Bradshaw and his wife Carter of Santa Rosa, CA, Amy Bradshaw of Charleston, SC, Gregory Wheeler and wife Melanie of Orange, MA, Jessica Girotti and her husband James of Holliston, MA, Sarah Gottschalk and her husband Stephen of Fitchburg, MA, Tonya Pisinski and her husband Ronald of Amherst, NH, Torr LaJeunesse of Worcester, MA, as well as her 16 great grandchildren Madison, Tucker, Cooper, Zachariah, Nathaniel, Krista, Russell, Kaitlyn, Collin, Lilly, Alden, Cameron, Olivia, Joshua, Owen, and Alexis. She is also survived by her brother Raymond and his wife Barbara Harlow of Shrewsbury. MA. In addition to her husband Rusty, she was predeceased by her son Russell "Ted" Wheeler, her brother, Robert Harlow, and her sister Hazel Jefts and her husband Carl.

Family and friends will gather for the happy celebration of Marian's life on what would have been her 100th birthday, May 6, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the First Parish Church in Concord, MA.

Gifts in her memory can be made to:
The First Parish in Concord
20 Lexington Road
Concord, MA 01742
Or
The Alzheimer's Association
225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17
Chicago, IL 60601.

The family gives CareOne at Concord and the team who cared for Marian their greatest gratitude.