Dorothy Jane (Bisbee) Munroe

ASHBURNHAM- Dorothy Jane (Bisbee) Munroe, beloved wife of Robert A. Munroe and most important to her was being the proud mother of Merrie Ellen Munroe and Jon Robert Munroe, passed away on Friday, October 30, 2020. Dorothy was born on March 8, 1933 and was the daughter of William J. Bisbee and Geneva Mildred (Harris) Bisbee. She was predeceased by three brothers, Richard, William and Kenneth, and three sisters, Nancy I. Bisbee, Priscilla Bisbee Gariepy and Pauline Wagner. Besides her husband and children, she leaves her sisters, G. Lillian Whitney of Ashby and Mary Capman of Gardner; brothers Donald A. Bisbee, Sr., of Ashburnham, Paul R. Bisbee of Baldwinville and David W. Bisbee of Virginia; a granddaughter, Heather Machado and husband, Derek; three grandsons, Joshua, Robert and Kurtis; great grandchildren, Timothy Murray, Sophia Machado, Alexis Machado, and Trinity Munroe. Also, many wonderful nieces and nephews. Dorothy always felt so blessed she was able to spend 63 wonderful years with her husband, Bob, and also the many wonderful years with her son, Jon Robert, her daughter, Merrie Ellen and her partner, Cynthia Bosselait. She was so proud of them. She was also blessed with grandchildren, Heather, Kurtis, Joshua and Robert and proud great grandmother to Timothy, Sophia, Alexis and Trinity. Dorothy graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1952 and received a Fine Arts Degree from Mount Wachusett Community College graduating Phi Theta Kappa. She worked at American Can, Parts Rebuilder, was assistant manager at Putnam Card Shoppe in Fitchburg and NEBS in Groton. Dorothy was a kind, loving and caring lady. Always willing to lend a hand wherever she was needed, whether her support was needed in her family, her Church, the community or public schools. She was an active member and supporter, involved in many community activities and felt the importance of giving back to the community. She also enjoyed learning about the workings and background workings of a community and wanted so much to do her part to serve the Town of Ashburnham. She was a life member of the Ashburnham Community Church, serving many years on the Church Board, taught Sunday School for over forty years and chaired many events at the Church. She was a member and secretary of Ashburnham’s Advisory Board for over four years. She served terms as President and Treasurer of Ashburnham Historical Society. In addition, serving twenty years as Board member of the Friends of the Stevens Memorial Library. She humbly fed meals to the homeless in Fitchburg for twenty years. She served as a Girl Scout leader and served 14 years in the Oakmont School Council. She was a member of the Greater Gardner Art Association, Circle of Artists and the Gardner Area League of Artists. Dottie tried to live each day of her life to the fullest. She enjoyed all aspects of life whether it was caring for her family, community service or her individual choices which were the great outdoors. A message to my friends, Diane Hill, Charleen Sawyer, Paula Boutwell, Patricia Dennehy, Jan Lewyn and Maggie Whitney, you were each my family outside my family. As with each of them, we enjoyed one or more of the following, whether it was tennis, enjoying a long walk, the book club, art, Church activities and events, Oakmont Football games, getting together for coffee, ladies luncheon, munchkins, discussing politics, many very interesting conversations and all around fun! The fun of playing tennis for over forty years with the tennis ladies of Ashburnham. She enjoyed working in her flower garden, reading, doing crossword puzzles, was a loyal fan of the New England Patriots and especially loved the challenge of art in all mediums. Calling hours are Friday, November 6, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Mack Family Funeral Homes, Lamoreaux-Smith & Poliks Chapel, 105 Central St., Gardner. Funeral and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sanctuary Ministry Center Building Fund, P.O. Box 343, Ashburnham, MA 01430. To send an online condolence, please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com.