Ruth C. Bisson

BARRE TOWN - Ruth Christine (Farnham) Bisson, 90, of Sunset Road, joined her husband, Rosaire, in heaven on their wedding anniversary, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012. She died peacefully at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Diane and David Stonecliffe, on Sunset Road with her family by her side.

Ruth was born at home in Orange on July 24, 1922, the daughter of Roswell and Linnie (Curtis) Farnham. She enjoyed growing up on the "old farm" with her 12 siblings and attending Orange Village School. During her teenage years, she began studying the Catholic religion. By her 18th birthday, she had received the sacraments of baptism, First Communion and confirmation in St. Monica Catholic Church in Barre. She was a member of the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

After a two-year courtship, Ruth married Rosaire Bisson on Dec. 29, 1945, in St. Monica Catholic Church. Following their marriage, they made their home in Washington. A few times a month, they would travel to Plainfield to visit Rosaire's family. During these trips, they passed the four corners on Trow Hill. The two would dream of buying land and building a store there. In 1955, they purchased a corner lot and in the fall of 1960 opened the Trow Hill Grocery Store. Later, they bought a camp on Woodbury Lake and spent many happy times there with family and friends. She also loved playing cards. Rosaire passed away Nov. 11, 1981. Since 1985, the store has been owned and operated by Ruth's son Edward Bisson and his wife, Margaret.

In earlier years, Ruth was a member of the Trow Hill Grange, the American Legion Post 10 Auxiliary of Barre, and the Woodbury Lake Association.

Her family was most important to her, and she enjoyed time spent with her children and grandchildren. She stated many times how blessed she was that she had never lost a child or grandchild.

Ruth is survived by her nine children, Rosaire Bisson Jr. and his wife, Marilyn, of South Barre, Diane Stonecliffe and her husband, David, of Barre Town, Michael Bisson and his wife, Karen, of Sterling, Mass., Donald Bisson and his wife, Cynthia, of Manchester, N.H., Janet Jenkins and her husband, Robert, of Columbus, Ga., Thomas Bisson and close friend Connie Leach, of Middlebury, Annette Rossi and her husband, Vittorio, of Barre, Edward Bisson and his wife, Margaret, of Barre, and Robert Bisson and his fiancée, Lisa Kinley Davis, of Columbus, Ohio. Ruth also said "goodbye" to her 28 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; three sisters, Mabel Swift and her husband, Richard, of Barre Town, Irene Nadeau and her husband, Sheldon, of South Barre, and Emma Gingras, of Washington; several nieces and nephews.

She always missed her siblings who passed before her. They include seven sisters, Ethel McKee, Edith Vermette, Gladys Freeman, Ada Peterson, Marion Carrier and infants Esther Farnham and Lillian Farnham; and four brothers, George Farnham, Merton Farnham, Allen Farnham and Wayne Farnham. Two daughters-in-law, Susan (Cross) Bisson and Shawn (Gale) Bisson, also predeceased her.

Ruth's family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and love to their sister Diane for the wonderful care she gave their mother these last months of her life. Also a thank you to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice for their kindness and care.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, at 11 a.m. in St. Monica Catholic Church in Barre. Entombment will take place in the Hooker and Whitcomb vault to await later burial in the St. Sylvester Cemetery in Websterville. Family and friends may call on Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy St., Barre.