Middlebury’s first police woman
Ruth (Charbonneau) Rooney, 89, of Woodbury passed away with her family by her side Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Waterbury Hospital after a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Rooney. Ruth was born July 2, 1925.
Ruth was the first official police woman as well as a police and fire dispatcher in Middlebury. She worked for the post office for over 30 years. Ruth drove a school bus, worked at Kmart and volunteered for the Red Cross and American Heart Association. Ruth was a member/veteran of the Middlebury Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.
Ruth is survived by five children, Jean Dawes and her husband, Robert, of Middlebury; Robert Charbonneau and his wife, Cathy, of Hurley, Wisc.; Donn Charbonneau and his wife, Judy, of Washington; Linda Carlson and her husband, Paul, of Woodbury; and Karen Titcomb and her husband, Brooks, of Woodbury. She also leaves a sister, Elsie Mellette; her brother, Howard (Skip) Northrop of Middlebury; and sister Nancy Northrop of Arizona.
Ruth had 19 grandchildren: Robert Charbonneau and his wife, Patti; Mark Charbonneau and his wife, June; Brian Charbonneau; Michael Charbonneau and his wife, Katie; Kevin Dawes and his wife, Jennie; Tammy Rapp and her husband, Adam; Kristine Boisits and her husband, Michael; Becky Ziminsky and her husband, Eric; Carissa Charbonneau;, Tiffany Hill and her husband, Matt; Troy Bertagnoli and his wife, Sarah; Lindsey Ericson and her husband, Kevin; Dawn Corbo and her husband,Colin; Ashley Carlson and her companion, Ryan; Eric Carlson and his companion, Kate; Bobby Freer and his wife, Robin; Billy Freer and his wife, Andria; Dawn Emmanuel and her husband, Michael; and Shawn Titcomb and his wife, Jennifer. She also had 23 great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 8, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Church in Woodbury. Burial at New North Cemetery in Woodbury will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 5055 E. Washington St., Suite 130, Phoenix, AZ 85034 or the Woodbury Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 581, Woodbury, CT 06798. The Woodbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere is handling arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.munsonloveterefuneral.com.
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