…Tewksbury School Department; 87
TEWKSBURY - Eleanor M. (Matarazzo) Bissett, age 87, died Monday morning, May 13, at Heritage Manor Senior Care Center in Lowell after short period of declining health. She was wife for 53 years of the late John W. Bissett, who died in 2002.
Eleanor was born in Boston, December 23, 1925, a daughter of the late Thomas and Lena (Natoli) Matarazzo, and raised in Jamaica Plain. In 1955, she and her late husband moved to Tewksbury to raise their family.
She was employed in the Dietary Department of the Tewksbury Public School System where she worked for more that 20 years. She retired in 1983 as the manager of the Heath Brook School lunch program.
Mrs. Bissett was a communicant of St. William’s Church.
While she devoted her life to her family, she enjoyed crochet and knitting, and spending family vacation times at Hampton and Salisbury Beaches. She was also a faithful attendee of the former Thursday night Bingo at the Tewksbury Knights of Columbus.
She is survived by five children, John R. “Skipper” Bissett and his wife Eileen (Bartashy) of East Falmouth, Robert P. Bissett and his wife Joan (Goebel) of Rowley, Janice H. Bissett of Fitchburg, Steve T. Bissett and his wife Maryann (Gettings) of Dracut, Thomas G. Bissett and his wife Alison (Riddle) of Tewksbury; eleven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; a sister, Ida Jenny Reardon of Northboro, MA; and many nieces and nephews.
She was also sister of the late Thomas Matarazzo and Rose Smith.
Her Funeral Mass was celebrated Friday, May 17, in St. William’s Church, Tewksbury. Burial followed at Tewksbury Cemetery. Memorials to the Tewksbury Food Pantry, 999 Whipple Road, Tewksbury, MA 01876 will be appreciated.