Dorothy Bissell

Bissell , Dorothy
Dorothy Marcia Barlow Bissell, 89, formerly of Ridgefield, CT and wife of the late Roger W. Bissell, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2012 at the Jewish Home of Fairfield. Born on June 9, 1923 in Dedham, Massachusetts, she graduated with a BA Degree in Art History from Wheaton College, Norton, MA. She then continued her education at Radcliffe College, Cambridge, MA, where she completed a year-long graduate programin Personnel Management. A unique program for its day, it provided management training specifically for women. After graduation she worked in Boston as the Assistant to the Personnel Director for C. Crawford Hollidge, Ltd. It was there where she met Roger. After a six month courtship they married on Valentine's Day in
1948. As their family grew they moved from Canton to Wrentham and then to Walpole, MA before moving to Stony Brook, NY. Ultimately, the family moved to Ridgefield, CT in 1975. Dorothy quickly became very involved in the Women's Fellowship of the First Congregational Church as a member of the Gibson Circle and in more recent years she was a member of the
Elizabeth Circle. She also was an active member of PEO Chapter G. She cherished the friendships she made through these organizations. The support she received from her dear friends and her deep faith in God sustained her through the loss of her husband thirty years ago. After becoming a widow she was employed for six years by the B. J. Dolan Company in Bethel before retiring in 1988. Dorothy is survived by her five children including Douglas H. Bissell and wife Virginia (Balchunas) of Waynesboro, Virginia, Marcia L. Bissell of Fairfield, Benjamin B. Bissell and wife Lori (Mangiamele) of Trumbull, Cynthia A. Bissell of Branford, and Jonathan R. Bissell of Danbury. She is also survived by three grandsons R. Benjamin Cascella of NYC, Matthew Barlow Cascella of Brooklyn, NY and Adam N. Bissell of
Trumbull. She loved her grandsons very deeply. Just the thought of them brightened her days and put a smile on her beautiful face. She is also survived by two nieces. She was predeceased by her parents, Stanley and Ethel Barlow, her sister, Priscilla B. Johnson and her
brother, Robert S. Barlow, as well as her husband of 34 years, Roger W. Bissell. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Thursday August 9, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church in Ridgefield. Interment will be at the Canton Corner Cemetery in Canton, MA at a later date. Arrangements are being made through the Edmund N. Dougiello Funeral Home in Fairfield. The family extends its deep gratitude to the members of the Bennett 3 Care Team at the Jewish Home for the loving care they provided to Dorothy during the last two years of her life. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross or a charity of one's choice.