Ruth E. Picard

CHICOPEE- Ruth E. (Tardy) Picard, 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 2, 2013 just five days prior to her 90th Birthday at Wingate in West Springfield. A resident of Chicopee all of her life, she was born in Chicopee, MA on June 7, 1923 to Arthur and Elizabeth (Breickner) Tardy. Raised in Chicopee, Ruth attended the Chicopee Public Schools. She met and married her beloved husband, Alfred J. Picard on September 14, 1942 in Houston, TX and celebrated over 62 years of marriage. While in Texas, Ruth briefly attended Rice University. In later years, she was employed as an office manager for Prew Coal Company in Chicopee. She has been a member of the American Legion Post #353 Ladies Auxiliary for over 50 years having served as its President for a brief period. She was also a member of the Chicopee Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Ruth was a woman with varied interests. She loved to cook and bake and enjoyed ceramics. She knitted and crocheted and particularly enjoyed creating handmade dolls and afghans which she gave to friends and to various charities. Ruth was an accomplished organist and piano player. She enjoyed spending quality time with family and friends and looked forward to family celebrations of birthdays and holidays especially Christmas. Ruth was predeceased by her devoted husband Al who died in 2005. She leaves two sons; Alfred J. Picard Jr. and his wife Theresa of Chicopee and Rusty L. Picard of Corrales, New Mexico. She leaves four grandchildren; Gregory, Shawn, Kristina and Kaitlyn. She was predeceased by three sisters, Clara Hout, Pearl Lacourse and Gertrude “May” Sicard and two brothers, Frederick and Walter Tardy. She also leaves several nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, June 7, 2013 from 5-8PM at Brunelle Funeral Home, 811 Chicopee St., Chicopee, MA 01013. A funeral home service will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2013 beginning at 10AM and will be followed by the Rite of Christian Burial in Forestdale Cemetery, Holyoke. Flowers will be welcome but if you prefer, memorial contributions in Ruth’s name can be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104 or to Faith United Methodist Church, 191 Montcalm St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Please visit www.brunellefuneralhome.com for more details.