CORNISH, NH
Collene R. (Spencer) Rushia, 87, died Wednesday morning (March 9, 2016) at her home in Cornish, NH. As a child she lived in Marshfield, Vermont and then in 1937 moved to Windsor, Vermont. After marriage, she and her husband lived in Windsor and Claremont, moving to Cornish in their retirement.
She was born in Marshfield, Vermont in 1928, the daughter of Erwin G. and Helen (Holt) Spencer.
She graduated from Windsor High School in 1946.
On December 26, 1948 she married Leo Rushia in the First Baptist Church in Windsor, Vermont
Survivors include her husband, Leo Rushia of Cornish; one son, Andrew Rushia and his wife Pauline, of Bradford, NH; two daughters, Victoria Curtis and her husband Eugene, of North Hartland, Vt. and Naomi Wade and her husband Herbert, of Alexandria, Alabama; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her brother, Jerold Spencer.
Collene's life passion was to be a godly wife to her husband, and a loving mother to her three children. She cared for every person she encountered, both through work and civic duty. She worked for Central Vermont Public Service where she met her lifelong love. Later she worked as a bank teller. While her children we growing she dedicated time to be a playground aide for Claremont elementary schools. She also worked as a nurse's aide at Claremont Nursing Home on Elm Street. Her civic duty included helping during elections at her local polling place.
She enjoyed gardening, canning, as well as sewing crafts, and was a member of various Granges for over 50 years, the last being the Ascutney Grange. Her art skills and interests also included wood carving and drawing. Always learning, she studied Russian, Christian Theology, and earned college credit for study in Church History.
She attended church regularly, and demonstrated her faith through service to Pioneer Girls and Vacation Bible Schools. A lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Windsor (now Trinity Evangelical Free Church), she also attended First Baptist Church of Claremont during the 1970s, participating in youth and adult Bible study programs.
Collene loved the Lord Jesus with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength. She also loved her neighbor as herself. Mark 12: 30-31
Please, in lieu of flowers, continue Collene's love for others and give to a charity of your choice.
A Celebration of Collene's Life will be held Thursday, March 17 at 2:00 PM at the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Windsor.