Ruth Irene Bissell Wolf, of Rochester, NY formerly of Norwich, passed away peacefully December 12, 2017. Born in Wellsville NY, she was predeceased by her parents Merl and Margaret Perry Bissell, husband Francis J. (Foxy) Wolf, sister Beatrice Hettenbaugh, brothers Howard, Harold, Paul, Frederick and Carl Bissell and son-in-law, James Scott.
She is survived by her children, Mary Wolf Scott of Brockport NY, John (Connie) Wolf of Fairport NY and Paul (Karen) Wolf of Cedar Grove NJ. Grandchildren; Carrie (Gus) Carpenito, James Scott, Kelly (Jared) McLaughlin, Sara (Timothy) Stafford, Michael (Alicia) Wolf and Patrick Wolf. Great-Grandchildren; Dominic and Jake Carpenito, Connor McLaughlin and Giovanna Wolf; brother Donald (Joyce) Bissell, sister-in-law Evelyn Bissell, nieces and nephews, special friend Jewell Hayes, her “Y Friends,” staff and caregivers at Brookdale in Brockport.
A 1944 graduate of (SUNY) Geneseo Normal School, Mrs. Wolf was an elementary school teacher in Norwich, Freeport and South New Berlin NY, and delighted in teaching generations of young learners. She continued to share her special interest in teaching reading into retirement, becoming one of the longest serving members with the Chenango County Literacy Volunteers.
Ruth remained active into her early nineties participating in swimming and water aerobics at the Norwich YMCA and was an avid golfer and bowler. She provided care and a loving home to a series of rescued dogs. She enjoyed her family and for many years hosted the Bissell Family Reunion at her home.
Ruth enjoyed traveling, beginning with family tenting trips across Canada and the western United States, cruises and tours to Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, North Africa and South America. Stranded aboard a tramp steamer on a sand bar off the coast of Guyana in 1976, she had to contact her school principal via ship-to-shore radio to notify him that she would be missing the first few days of the school year.
A memorial service and celebration of her life is being planned for April 9, 2018 on what would have been Ruth’s 100th birthday and will be announced in a future edition of The Evening Sun.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the Unadilla Valley Central School Elementary Library, PO Box F, New Berlin NY 13411 or the Guernsey Memorial Library, 3 Court St., Norwich NY 13815.