Courtesy of Telegram & Gazette
Known for her passion for helping others, Amputee Coalition volunteer Rose-Marie Bissonnette passed away on Friday, August 25, surrounded by her loving family. After becoming an amputee in 1996, Rose-Marie discovered there was very little support and resources for new amputees in her state of Massachusetts. Eager to make a difference for the limb loss community, she founded the New England Amputee Association in 2004, served as the Vice Chairperson of the Lancaster Commission on Disability, and became a Certified Peer Visitor for the Amputee Coalition.
Over the years, Rose-Marie has helped countless amputees find support and community and her impact has been tremendous. “Rose became a very dear friend of mine while we were both members of the Amputee Coalition. She has done much to heal many others dealing with amputation,” said Tammie Higginbotham. “She will always be loved, remembered, and cherished.”
“I had the absolute pleasure of knowing Rose for over 15 years. We could spend endless hours on the phone as she shared stories about her life and her visions for the future,” said Susan Tipton, Amputee Coalition’s Peer Support Program Specialist. “She worked tirelessly to help people with limb loss, their families, other support group leaders, and professionals who were in her own community or across the country. She was an extraordinary woman who made such a difference in so many people’s lives and they will forever remember her.”
Rose-Marie is survived by her brother, three sons, and six grandchildren.
Friends and family are invited to a period of visitation from 4:00-7:00pm on Thursday, August 31, at the Tighe Hamilton Regional Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00am on Friday, September 1 at Saint Michael Parish where she was a member.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Rose-Marie may be made to Nashoba Neighbors. Read more about Rose-Marie’s life here.