Avis Isabelle Bull

1922 - 2017

STODDARD, NEW HAMPSHIRE – Avis Isabelle (Brown) Bull, a 67-year resident of Stoddard, passed peacefully with her family attending her at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Jaffrey on February 12, 2017. She was 94 years old.

Avis was born on July 1, 1922, at home on the family farm in Antrim, to David Brown and Lillian (Story) Brown. Her two daughters, Ruth Ring and Lillian Grant, both of Peterborough, survive her. She is also survived by grandchildren Elizabeth Fortin (husband John and daughter Skyler), Nathan Grant (daughter Alaina), Susan Ring (fiancé Erik Storm and daughter Katie), and Caleb Grant (wife Annelise, son Cooper and daughter Bowden). She leaves two sisters: Christine Lazarus of Shoreham, New York and Betty Brown of Portsmouth New Hampshire and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband, Melvin L. Bull, two beloved sons-in law, Harvey Ring and Jim Grant, both formerly of Peterborough, three brothers, Alvin, Charles and Donald, one sister, Evelyn Grant, and one great granddaughter, infant Laura Louise.

Avis spent her youth in a two-room home in North Branch, Antrim as the second oldest in a family of seven children. She attended Antrim schools, graduating from Antrim High School in 1939, and got her first job at the Goodell Factory on Main Street in Antrim. After marrying Melvin, the young couple moved to Connecticut (his home state) where he worked at Pratt and Whitney for a few years. The couple soon returned to New Hampshire and bought their beautiful red farmhouse on the inlet to Island Pond in Stoddard. Avis made a home there and worked alone and tirelessly earning a few pennies clerking at Stewart's Store, raising her own food, hosting hunters and fishermen in a small camp on the property, and working the night shift at Harrisville Mills in order to support her two young children when Melvin was called to service in the Korean war. After Melvin's return from military service, Avis took a job at NH Ball Bearings in Peterborough and remained as an employee there for over 35 years until her retirement.

Avis' main love and enjoyment in life was her family. It is due to her work ethic, courage and grit that she and they flourished. Whenever her family visited Avis' parting question to them was, "what should I be sending home with you?" Avis is sent home with much love and gratitude.

The family would like to thank the staff at Good Shepherd Nursing home for their compassion and wonderful care for the past several years.

A celebration of Avis' life will be held at Jellison Funeral Home, 25 Concord Street, Peterborough on Saturday Feb 18 with calling hours from 3:00-4:30 and a brief remembrance ceremony from 4:30-5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Stoddard Fire Rescue Department: P.O. Box 268 Stoddard, NH 03464. Burial will be in the spring where she will join Melvin at the Dow Hill Cemetery in Stoddard, New Hampshire.

Jellison Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. To view an online obituary or to leave the family a condolence please visit www.jellisonfuneralhome.com