Eleanor M. (Matarazzo) Bissett, 87

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.

Visiting hours Thursday, May 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main Sts. (Rte 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER (phone 800 in MA or (978) 851 2950.  

Her funeral will begin Friday, May 17,  at 9 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St. (Rte.38) Tewksbury.  Burial will follow at Tewksbury Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Tewksbury Food Pantry, 999 Whipple Road, Tewksbury, MA 01876 will be appreciated.

The information above was provided by Tewksbury Funeral Home.