Kathryn Ann (Haapola) Whittier

Kathryn Ann (Haapola) Whittier, age 81, of Pepperell, died unexpectedly at her home on February 19, 2026. She was born in Fitchburg on April 20, 1944, the only daughter of Olavi and May G. (Wenberg) Happola.

Raised in Fitchburg, she attended the local schools and graduated from Fitchburg High School. She went on to work at NEBS as a secretary for Dick Mack. While at NEBS, she met Wesley Whittier, and they were married on November 27, 1970 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Together they raised their family in Pepperell. Later in life, Kathryn worked at JC Penney and was also the proprietor of Kiln Kraft Studios on Mill Street in Pepperell.

Mrs. Whittier was a former member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fitchburg and the Pepperell Garden Club.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Retired Pepperell Fire Chief and Brookline Ambulance Director Wesley Whittier; daughter Kristen Kirk and husband Joshua Kirk of Pepperell; Devens Firefighter Todd Whittier and wife Susan of Lunenburg; grandchildren Shelby, Shayla, and John Kirk, Rebecca Hinckley and husband David, and Sarah Whittier.

Visiting hours will be held in the McGaffigan Funeral Home, 37 Main St., (Rte. 113) Pepperell, MA on Thursday, February 26th from 4 – 7 pm, concluding with a time of remembrance. Burial in Woodlawn Cemetery, Pepperell, will be held privately for the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriners Children’s, Attn: Shriners Children’s, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394 (www.shrinerschildrens.org) or to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 (www.woundedwarriorproject.org).

Arrangements are entrusted to the McGaffigan Family.