Ruth A. Wilder

Ruth A. (Pollinger) Wilder, 88 died Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at home with her family by her side. Her husband Ralph J. Wilder died in 1972. Ruth is survived by her five children, Maureen F. Giroux and her husband Dan of Worcester, Carol Brown and her husband Arthur of Taunton, Sandra De Costa of Taunton, Sharon Davidson of Illinois and a son, David (Wilder) Godek of Missouri; ten grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; her twin sister, Frances Jackles of Yarmouth and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her two brothers, Walter Pollinger and Russell Pollinger. Ruth was born in Worcester, daughter of Edward and Anna (Costello) Pollinger. She grew up in Shrewsbury, but then moved to Worcester in 1944 and lived there for the rest of her life. After being diagnosed with Pancreatic Caner in 2004, she moved in with her daughter Maureen and her husband Dan Sr. She had been cancer free for five years, until recently, when she was diagnosed with Lung Cancer for which she lost that battle. Her grandchildren Dan Jr., Laura and Bryan helped care for her as her time grew near. She was very active and enjoyed being outdoors, going for long walks, sitting on the deck on sunny days, watching her soap operas; General Hospital was her favorite. She enjoyed watching football on Sunday and loved the Patriots and couldn't wait until spring to watch the Red Sox. She was also a John Wayne fan. She enjoyed being with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a factory worker for many years, working for Brown Shoe then Culver Stearns where she was a drill press operator. She worked her last job at Killeen Machine before retiring in 1986. Ruth's funeral will be held on Monday, January 10th from MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester with a Mass at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Saint Ann Church, 24 Mulberry Street, Worcester. Burial will follow in Saint John's Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, January 9th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Flowers are welcomed or donations may be made to Brigham & Women's Hospital Development Office, 116 Huntington Ave., 5th flr. Boston, MA 02116. Pancreatic Caner Research. To share your thoughts and memories of Ruth, please visit her personal guestbook at: mercadantefuneral.com