1938
Audrey
2025
Audrey M. Bishop
January 2, 1938 — February 22, 2025
Brookfield – Audrey M. “Rae” Bishop passed away on Saturday, February 22, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with cancer at the age of 87. She was born in Ware, on January 2, 1938, to parents Louis Pete and Mary Herard.
Rae leaves behind her husband of 64 years Robert, and two children, Michele and her husband Jim McGinley of Gansevoort, New York, and Tom Bishop of North Brookfield; three grandchildren, Emily and her wife Desiree McGinley of Rensselaer, NY, Kelsey McGinley and her fiancé Jake Wetherell of Blandford, MA, and Kaitlynn Bishop and her partner Eric Stoker and a great-grandson, Jax Stoker of North Brookfield, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Jean Carrigan of Friendsville, TN on February 17, 2025, five days prior.
Rae graduated from North Brookfield High School in 1955, during which she was a cheerleader for the North Brookfield Indians basketball team. She attended the University of Connecticut and later transferred to the former Worcester Junior College where she attained a degree in accounting.
She was an avid camper and enjoyed traveling the county with her husband in their motorhome. She and Bob belong to the Bay Path Chapter 114 and the North American Camper’s Association.
Ray and Bob also wintered in Naples, Florida for 28 years. She enjoyed reading books, making puzzles, doing Sodoku math, knitting, and sewing.
Rae was a life-long member of St. Joseph’s Church in North Brookfield.
A Funeral Mass for Rae will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025, at 11AM in St. Joseph’s Church, 296 North Main St., in North Brookfield. There are no calling hours, and everyone should meet directly at the church. Burial will be held in Walnut Grove Cemetery in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Brookfield EMS, 4 Central St., Brookfield, MA 01506 or to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104, or online at www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org
Varnum Funeral Home, 43 East Main St., in West Brookfield is assisting her family with arrangements. An online tribute page is available at varnumfuneralhome.com
Rae leaves behind her husband of 64 years Robert, and two children, Michele and her husband Jim McGinley of Gansevoort, New York, and Tom Bishop of North Brookfield; three grandchildren, Emily and her wife Desiree McGinley of Rensselaer, NY, Kelsey McGinley and her fiancé Jake Wetherell of Blandford, MA, and Kaitlynn Bishop and her partner Eric Stoker and a great-grandson, Jax Stoker of North Brookfield, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Jean Carrigan of Friendsville, TN on February 17, 2025, five days prior.
Rae graduated from North Brookfield High School in 1955, during which she was a cheerleader for the North Brookfield Indians basketball team. She attended the University of Connecticut and later transferred to the former Worcester Junior College where she attained a degree in accounting.
She was an avid camper and enjoyed traveling the county with her husband in their motorhome. She and Bob belong to the Bay Path Chapter 114 and the North American Camper’s Association.
Ray and Bob also wintered in Naples, Florida for 28 years. She enjoyed reading books, making puzzles, doing Sodoku math, knitting, and sewing.
Rae was a life-long member of St. Joseph’s Church in North Brookfield.
A Funeral Mass for Rae will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025, at 11AM in St. Joseph’s Church, 296 North Main St., in North Brookfield. There are no calling hours, and everyone should meet directly at the church. Burial will be held in Walnut Grove Cemetery in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Brookfield EMS, 4 Central St., Brookfield, MA 01506 or to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104, or online at www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org
Varnum Funeral Home, 43 East Main St., in West Brookfield is assisting her family with arrangements. An online tribute page is available at varnumfuneralhome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Audrey M. Bishop, please visit our flower store.
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