Ruth Custer Bonney

Ruth Custer Bonney, 100, passed into the spirit world to be with her family, on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in the Talcottville section of Vernon, living most of her life in Manchester and spending the last 10 years at the Village at Buckland Court in South Windsor. Ruth gradated from Rockville High School in 1929 and New Britain Normal (Teaching) School in 1931. She received her Bachelor of Science from the Teacher's College of Connecticut (Central Connecticut State University) in 1954, and her Master of Science from the University of Connecticut in 1960. Ruth was a teacher in the Manchester school system for 30 years. She taught eighth grade English and math. Ruth created and implemented the first program in the Manchester school system for students with disabilities. Nana was a wonderful cook and baker. She was known to complete the New York Times crossword and Crypto Quote puzzles on a daily basis. She enjoyed gardening, music, and the theater. Ruth was a member of the Retired Teachers Association of Manchester, the Hartford County Retired Teachers Association, the Association of Retired Teachers of Connecticut, the National Retired Teachers Association, the Manchester Senior Citizens, and the Teacher's Sorority of UConn.

In addition to her parents, Martha and William Custer, she was predeceased by her three siblings, Clarence, Hilda, and Buddy; her son-in-law, Earl S. Ellis; a grandson, Earl-Michael Ellis; and a niece, Joyce Jarvis Levine. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia B. Ellis; granddaughter, Laurie Ellis Desjardin, her husband, Tim; and great-granddaughter, Emily; her two great-grandsons, Michael and Brian Ellis, and their mother, Sharon; her great-granddaughter, Charlotte, and her mother, Lynn Rhodes. Her niece, Lynn Wilson, and her husband, Tom, and their children, Scott, Steven, and Susan, and niece, Nancy McHale, and her husband, Bob, were very special to her. She was especially fond of her daughter's Shih Tzu, Daisy.

The family wants to thank everyone at the Village at Buckland Court. Special thanks to Sandy Wilson McRae for her wonderful and compassionate care she gave Nana in her final days.

A private family service will be held at Leete-Stevens Funeral Home led by Patricia Naegeli, chaplin for Hospice of Vernon.

Memorial donations may be made to Allied Rehabilitation Centers, the Ruth Bonney Dream Fund, 3 Pearson Way, Enfield, CT 06082. This fund has been established to fulfill dreams and wishes of adults with disabilities.