Genevieve R. (Haggerty) Whitty, age 106, went to her Lord on Wednesday, October 20, 2021.
Born in Fall River, daughter of Patrick J. aand Elizabeth A. (Munro) Haggerty, she lived in Westport for 52 years; Fall River for several years, and since 2014 was a resident at The Residence of Cedar Dell in Dartmouth, MA.
Genevieve retired as a bookkeeper in the Bursar's Office at Southeastern Massachusetts University of Dartmouth in 1981.
She was the founder and first president of the St. John the Baptist Women's Guild in Westport (1956-1958) and a member of the National Council of Catholic Women. She was a Communicant of St. John's parish while in Westport. In 1972, she was the recipient of the Marian Award from the Diocese of Fall River in recognition for establishing St. John's Women's Guild. She was a Eucharistic Minister, volunteered in the Pastoral Care Department at Charlton Memorial Hospital, vice-president of Our Lady of Grace Senior's Club and a member of the Westport Historical Society and the Friends of the Westport Council on Aging and AFSCME. While residing in Fall River, she was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral Seniors, a member of the Borden East Tenant's Council and served on the Board of Director of the Council.
She was proud to be a member of the first graduation class of Sts Peter and Paul Elementary School in Fall River and was an active member of that parish through her childhood and early adult years.
She was honored to be interviewed for Alfred J. Lima's America's Voices: An Oral History of Fall River, Mass. From 1900-1950.
Genevieve was an avid traveler within the USA and abroad. Many of her trips included pilgrimages; and she was privileged to attend one of Pope John Paul II audiences while in Rome.
Genevieve was a woman of strong faith, trusting in the Lord in all aspects of her life. She was held in high esteem and was well respected and admired by all who knew her.
Children: Joyce E. Pinto of Yorktown, VA, David F. Whitty (Cynthia) of Ashland, MA and Dale Whitty Lavoie (Roger) of Westport, MA.
She was predeceased by her husband Edward P. Whitty, Sr., son Edward P. Whitty, Jr. and great great granddaughter Juliana Rose Pinto.
She is the sister of the late Charles, Francis, Raymond, John and Paul Haggerty, Eugene Toomey, Dorothy Hathaway, Mary O'Neil, Elizabeth Hodgson and Joan (Toomey) Dupuis.
She leaves 7 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and 11 great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral to which relatives and friends are invited will be Monday, October 25, 2021 from the Potter Funeral Home at 9:00 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Baptist Church, Westport at 10:00 A.M.
Calling hours Sunday from 2-5 P.M.
Interment will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Fall River.
Memorial donations may be made to: St. John's Women's Guild, P.O. Box 3328, Westport, MA 02790.