Obituary of Mary Elizabeth Bishop

Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Bishop, 78 EASTFORD - Mary Elizabeth (Roper) Bishop, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, died May 1, 2007 of complications due to breast cancer. The youngest of 7 children of Paul W. and Jessamine Roper, Betty was born in Oneco, Ct. on October 15, 1928. She graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in history in 1950 alongside her husband, Edward "Bish", with whom she recently celebrated 56 years of happy marriage. Trained at Eastern Connecticut State University as a teacher, she held positions in elementary schools in Manchester and Darien, and, after retiring, volunteered her time at the Woodstock Elementary School. A devoted wife and mother, Betty also was an avid crossword solver and tennis and bridge player. She spent summers then retired at her favorite retreat on Crystal Pond in Eastford. She will be remembered as a caring, supportive friend to many. Betty leaves behind her husband Edward; two children, Charles Bishop and his wife Therese of Syracuse, NY, Meg Bishop of Coventry; a granddaughter, Elizabeth Bishop; a sister, Clara Denison of Brooklyn; two brothers, Paul (Peter) Roper and George Roper both of Moosup; sister-in-law, Doris Roper of Moosup; great-nieces Emily Klee and Alena Klee both of Eastford, and other well-loved nieces, nephews, great-nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her brothers Charles and Howard, sister Harriet, and niece Paula (Barnes) Klee. Funeral Service will be Saturday at 11:00 am at the Congregational Church of Eastford, 8 Church Road, Eastford. Calling hours will be Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam. Burial in Grove Cemetery, Eastford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mary "Betty" Roper Bishop to the University of Connecticut College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for a purpose to be designated by the Bishop family. Please make checks payable to: The UConn Foundation, Inc., 2390 Alumni Drive Unit 3206, Storrs, CT 06269 or www.foundation.uconn.edu. To share a memory with her family "Light a Candle" at www.smithandwalkerfh.com