BRISTOL — Ruth Alice Sherman Lathrop died Sept. 3, 2021. She was born Nov. 28, 1924, in Ferrisburgh, Vt., the daughter of Hollis and Helen (Weisenbach) Sherman. She attended elementary schools in Ferrisburgh and Waltham, Vt. All were one-room schools. She graduated from Bristol High School. On Jan. 30, 1943, she married Claire C. Lathrop and he predeceased her on March 22, 1999. They lived their entire married life in Bristol, spending more than 50 years building up the Claire Lathrop Bandmill, Inc. Ruth was the bookkeeper for their lumber business. 

She loved gardening. In earlier years a large vegetable garden filled the back yard from which she did much canning and preserving for her family. She had lovely flower boxes and flower gardens. Ruth was a member of the Bristol Federated Church, a longtime member of Onawa Rebekah Lodge, Bristol Evening Homemakers and the Outlook Club. She searched and recorded the genealogy of her families on both sides. In retirement, she enjoyed traveling, volunteering, senior lunches with friends and moving back to Bristol Village. 

Survivors include her children, Carolyn Besaw of Las Vegas, Nev.; Betty Taylor of Bath, Maine; Patricia Utley and her husband Gayl of St. Albans, Vt.; James and his wife Claire S. of Rogersville, Tenn.; and Thomas C. and his wife Pamela of Bristol; and a brother, George Sherman, also of Bristol. In addition, she is survived by her grandchildren, Tammy Besaw Denton, Brian Besaw, Daphne Taylor Williamson, Robin Taylor Almquist, Ellen Utley Olson, Sara Utley, Jason Lathrop, Justin Lathrop, Thomas W. Lathrop, Suzannah Costin and Timothy Peter Lathrop; two stepgrandchildren, Morgan and Andrew Verriotto; 20 great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and many cousins.

The family wishes to thank Rebecca Moricette, Melissa Bates and the entire staff at Eastview Assisted Living Care in Middlebury as well as Lisa Palmer for her friendship and dedicated care.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, Sept. 13, at Brown McClay Funeral Home in Bristol from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 13, at Bristol Federated Church. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Bristol. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Age Well, 875 Roosevelt Hwy., Colchester, VT 05446. To send online condolences to her family please visit www.brownmcclayfuneralhomes.com. For those who can’t attend the funeral service a video will be available at the bottom Ruth’s obituary on the Brown McClay website.◊