Stephentown – Thelma A. Locke of 79 East Road, Stephentown, NY, died July 26, 2014, at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, MA, with family at her side.
Born September 23, 1918, in Groveland, MA, she was the daughter of the late Eugene and Ada (Holland) Aiken. She married the love of her life, Percy W. Locke, on her birthday, September 23, 1945. Together they owned and operated an ice and coal business and a poultry farm. She worked for many years from the late 30s into the 60s as a chicken sexer.
Percy and Thelma moved to the Berkshires in the early 60s where Percy trained and showed Morgan horses (with Thelma always at his side) for Green Meads Farm in Richmond, MA.
Thelma leaves her grandchildren, Erika and husband Joe Voltoline, Michael and wife Marie Locke, Jacob Locke, Nathan and wife Breanna Sumy, Stephanie Sumy, Laura and husband Bill White and Abby Locke, her niece, Sandra Gilmore and partner Greg Knowlton of Chichester, NH, her nephews, Joseph “Pick” Cole and Eugene “Nipper” Cole and his wife Evelyn of Athens, ME, her niece, Thelma and husband Tom Rheaume of Stephentown, and several great-grandchildren and great-nieces and great-nephews.
An animal lover all of her life, she and Percy exhibited their beloved Palomino stallion, Golden Delicious, to many state championships in the 50s and 60s. Thelma also bred and exhibited Boston terriers and miniature poodles. In her later years, she delighted in the company of her many peacocks, especially her favorite, Vane, and Herm the cat.
Thelma is pre-deceased by her husband Percy, who died on February 22, 2001, her two sons, Earle L. Locke and Raymond McFarlane, Jr., her siblings, Daisy Aiken, Dorothy Cole, Earle L. Aiken and Donald Aiken.
A graveside service will be held Saturday, September 20, at 1 pm at Garfield Cemetery, Stephentown. A reception will follow at the Stephentown Fire Department Pavilion.
Arrangements are by the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home in Stephentown.