Obituary of Ruth L. McAvoy

"South Hadley – Ruth L. (Bisbee) McAvoy, 74, of Ashfield Lane, passed away at home on October 22, 2008. Born March 16, 1934, in Northampton, MA, she was the daughter of the late Henry M. and Emma L. (Nehring) Bisbee. Her family traces its roots in western Massachusetts back to the 1630s. A resident of South Hadley since 1962, Ruth grew up in the house her father built on South Street in Williamsburg. As a registered nurse for over forty years, Ruth assisted at the birth of hundreds of babies at Cooley Dickinson Hospital and was a founding organizer of the Massachusetts' Nursing Association there. Predeceased by her husband, Warren Oliver McAvoy in 1985, she is survived by six children: John McAvoy and his newlywed bride Kathryn of Turners Falls, Susan McAvoy and her friend Greg Alexander of South Hadley, Thomas McAvoy and his wife Lesley of West Hempstead, NY, Matthew McAvoy of Chesterfield, Peter McAvoy and his wife Nicki of South Hadley and Kate Hall and her husband Gary of South Hadley. Ruth was deeply proud and delighted in the company of her 8 eight grandchildren: Alex, James, Lis, Katie, Christopher and Emily McAvoy as well as Eli and Sarah Hall. Ruth, known as "Sis" to her family and childhood friends, was the eldest and only girl among six siblings. She will be missed by four brothers Robert, Richard, Frederick and Roger. A fifth brother, Henry "Gus" Bisbee predeceased Ruth. Concluding with a Celebration of Life Service, calling hours are Sunday, Oct. 26th from 2-5:00 p.m. at the Beers & Story South Hadley Funeral Home, 646 Newton St., Rt 116. Burial is private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ruth's memory to the Food Bank Farm 121 Bay Rd., Hadley, MA 01035, Kate's Kitchen 51 Hamilton Pl., Holyoke, MA 01040 or Open Pantry Community Services, Inc., P.O. Box 5127 Springfield MA 01101-5127."