Ruth M. Bastin

"Brimfield- Ruth M. (Schweizer) Bastin, 93, of Brimfield passed away July 15, 2016. Born in Bronx, New York on February 3, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Gustave and Martha (Joeckle) Schweizer. Ruth had a unique way of making others feel special and, whether family or friend, would do anything to brighten someone else's day. She never forgot a birthday. One of her favorite pastimes was writing poetry and sending letters and cards to family and friends to let them know she was thinking of them. As a young woman, Ruth was active in St. Paul's Lutheran Church in the Bronx, where she sang in the choir and was a soloist. She was known as a devoted caretaker who wanted to fill others' lives with love. She doted on her children, cousins, and nieces/nephews, lovingly cared for family and those in the community who were ill, and was a protector to those whose lives were more difficult. She opened her home to care for children as a foster mother and loved each of them just as if they were her own, and she was an "adopted" grandmother to countless others. In 1985, she and her husband, George, left their beloved Bronx to join her daughter and her family in Brimfield. Ruth adored her six grandchildren and her 13 great-grandchildren. She enjoyed bringing them to the theater and movies, watching musicals with them, bringing them to the beach and on fun trips, crocheting and knitting doll clothes for them, and would always create a magical time for them. Holidays and even car rides were filled with singing, music, and laughter. Ruth was predeceased by her first husband, Albert Sehnert, in 1977, her second husband, George Bastin, in 1995, and her son Paul Sehnert in 2011. Ruth leaves her loving daughter, Linda Carpenter and her husband Phillips of Brimfield; her daughter-in-law, Donna Sehnert of Newport, Rhode Island; her grandchildren, Scott Sehnert and his wife, Deana; Lorianne Madonna and her husband, Rocco; Marie Shea and her husband Joseph; James Carpenter and his girlfriend Leang; Jennifer Winsor and her husband Gordon; Susan Harrington and her husband Edward; her great-grandchildren, Amanda, Andrew, Emma, Rebecca, Alison, Claire, Catelyn, Charlie, Grace, Isabelle, Liam, Abigail, and Coleman; and her cousins, Arthur Klein and his family of New Jersey, and Eugene Milone and his family of Calgary, Alberta. Along with her parents, Albert, George, and Paul, Ruth was predeceased by her brother, Frank Bauer; her sister, May Wolff; and her two dogs, Finnian and Paul-E. Ruth will be deeply missed by all who loved her. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, July 20th at Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home, 1475 N. Main St., from 4:00-7:00 pm with a short prayer service to follow. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, July 21st at 10:00 am, followed by burial at the Brimfield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Congregational Church of Brimfield. For further information please visit beersandstory.com."