Suffield Obituary: Sally Bissell, 89

Sally Thompson Bissell, 89, of Bloomfield, died Sunday June 17th, 2018. She was the loving wife of Sumner Fuller Bissell, having celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary together just a day prior.

Born December 16, 1928 in Hartford, she was the daughter of Abbott and Rachael Thompson and sister of Ann B Thompson of Melrose and the late Rachael T deRham of Farmington. Sally loved to share stories of growing up on the family farm, first deeded to the Thompson family in 1730/31.

Sally leaves 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and 1 great granddaughter, all whom she loved and cherished: Lawrence F Bissell and wife Mary of West Hartford; Lucinda E Bissell of Farmington; Bradford T Bissell and wife Julie of Naples FL; Sarah B Palmer of Stratham NH. Grandchildren and great grandchildren include Meghan B Bowman and husband Edward, and their daughter Madeleine; William T Bissell; Kelly M Palmer; Molly M Bissell; Spencer B Palmer; Clara J Bissell; Owen S Palmer; Anna C Bissell; and Emma G Bissell.

Sally’s early education began in a one room schoolhouse in Melrose. She later attended The Oxford School in West Hartford (now Kingswood Oxford School) and graduated from Dana Hall School in Wellesley MA. She attended Pine Manor Jr College and The Garland School of Boston MA.

After secretarial school in Hartford, Sally worked for the Connecticut Bank & Trust and later for the Second Bank-State Street Trust Company in Boston. Sally was proud of her heritage as a direct descendent of Governor William Bradford, who famously arrived on the Mayflower in 1620. She did a lot of work on her family’s genealogy over the years.

She took great pleasure in arranging flowers, sewing, knitting, and cooking. Her hands were always busy. She will be remembered for her boundless creativity, penchant for fun, and amusing “Sally-izms”. She volunteered with The Village for Families and Children of Hartford and was a member of Suffield Garden Club, Suffield Auxiliary, and Green Gardeners of West Hartford.

She was a member of the Summer Residence Committee of the New London Hospital, New London NH, and Lake Sunapee Yacht Club where she spent many lovely summers with family and friends. She was a member of The Second Baptist Church of Suffield. Sally’s greatest gift was her devotion to her husband and family, especially her grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, she asks that you take a walk in the sunshine and remember her in your own way.

If desired, donations may be made to the Lake Sunapee Protective Association, PO Box 683, Sunapee NH; Melrose School, 242 Melrose Rd, Broad Brook; or The Second Baptist Church, 100 N Main St, Suffield.

A memorial service will be held Monday June 25th at 11 a.m. at Duncaster, 40 Loeffler Rd, Bloomfield. Burial will be private with family in Woodlawn Cemetery in Suffield.

Nicholson & Carmon Funeral Home has care of arrangements.