FRANKLIN — On Friday morning, the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross, Nancy Lee Bishop, 70, of Franklin, was relieved of her suffering through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ. After a fourteenmonth battle with pancreatic cancer, her cross was lifted and she went Home to the Lord.
On Jan. 22, 1942, Nancy was born to Cecile (Dubois) and Harold Greenwood. Affectionately known as “Ringer“ to her closest family and friends, Nancy grew up and attended schools in Sheldon Creek. After her 1960 graduation from Bellows Free Academy, St. Albans, Nancy embarked upon a variety of careers: she worked at Fonda Container for several years as a manufacturer, then as a cook at Sheldon Elementary School, a Hot Lunch Agent at Missisiquoi Valley Union High School and finally, the Kitchen Supervisor at the Franklin Homestead and the Franklin Carriage House. Nancy was always known for her compassion, her caring and her culinary skills. She touched many lives during her short time with us, but her selfless spirit will dwell within those forever.
Nancy loved her family dearly; she devoted her time to raising her daughters, Carla and Kelley, and then proudly watched them grow with their own families. She loved animals of all kinds (except birds), but especially horses, an interest she shared with her granddaughter, Megan. She was an avid Yankees fan, much to the chagrin of her beloved grandson, Ryan, and her dear cousins and friends, Charlene and Raymond Deso. Everyone knows Nancy had the “gift of gab,“ and she enjoyed sitting and talking to people of all ages. Her conversations with her grandson, Connor, will be cherished. Nancy also enjoyed being a member of the “Committee of Cousins,“ discussing and planning the annual Greenwood Family Reunion.
When Nancy met her future husband, Ronald, in 1991, Ronald knew it would be difficult to “catch this tiger by the tail,“ but he persevered and they shared a love that lasted almost 21 years. Cooking, while perhaps not a passion, was indeed a vocation, which Nancy shared with others, whether it was cooking for the residents at the Franklin Carriage House, helping at a chicken pie dinner for her church, Our Lady of Lourdes, or just grilling a “rare“ steak for her granddaughter, Jilly.
Regardless of the occasion, anyone who shared in her talents can attest to her skills.
Nancy leaves behind her husband, Ronald Louis Bishop Sr. of Franklin; daughter, Carla LaFar and husband, Robert LaFar Jr., of Alburg, and her children, Megan Cecile and Connor, both of Fairfax; daughter, Kelley Alderman and husband, Scott, and their children, Ryan and Jillian Kivrin, all of Richford; her dear sister and friend, Deborah Fletcher and husband, William “Bill“ Fletcher, of Vero Beach, Fla.; and her baby brother, Rocky Greenwood of Sheldon.
Nancy also leaves behind Ron’s four boys, Ronald Jr. “Ronnie“ of Pennsylvania, Raymond and partner, Ryan Sales, of Pearl City, Hawaii, David and wife, Jan, of Goshen, and Brian and wife, Deborah, of Swanton. Nancy enjoyed her many grandchildren, Shawn Bishop, Beth Stover, Shannen, Laura, Danielle and Tamara Bishop, Heather and Keesy Jaring, and Ethan Bishop; and her new greatgrandchildren, Isaac and London Stover, Ahnar Bishop, Ayda Bernhard, and Corey Jaring. Nancy also leaves behind her beloved and faithful canine companion, Kobe.
Finally, Nancy leaves behind numerous friends and family members, people for whom her family is ever grateful.
Nancy was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Edmund Brier; her parents, Harold and Cecile Greenwood; and her beautiful grandson, Jack.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012, at 11 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, 152 Main Street, Richford, with the Rev. Karl Hahr celebrating the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in the Sheldon Village Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Spears Funeral Home, 96 Dickinson Ave., Enosburg Falls. Private messages of condolence may be sent to Nancy’s family online through www.spears funeralhome.com.
For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society - Hope Lodge, 237 East Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401.
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