Shirlee J. Fissette

COLEBROOK – Shirlee J. Fissette, 82, passed away on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at the Coӧs County Nursing Hospital in West Stewartstown after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was born on June 17, 1935, in West Stewartstown, the daughter of the late Ernest D. and Mary Charlotte (Baker) Biron. She lived in Maine, NH, and Vermont before moving to Massachusetts where she graduated from high school in Littleton, Mass. Shirlee loved the beach and the sunshine. She was quick witted and loved to sing and dance. She was an amazing cook and her love of entertaining her friends and family extended to her decades long career in the hotel, motel, and restaurant industry. Many will remember her special hospitality during her ownership of the Colebrook House where she was famous for Fruit Compote and the Colebrook House Dip. She was a champion bowler, loved to play cards, and was particularly talented at cribbage, bridge, and canasta. She loved word games of all kind, especially Scrabble. She had a special passion for her fellow ‘Red Hatters’ and was very proud of her involvement in the formation of the Red Hatted Rascals. Shirlee is survived by her 3 children: Debbie King and husband Fred of Loudon, NH, Randy Sambito and Patti Arrington of Church Hill, Tenn., and Sheryl “Gidget” Manchester and Thomas R. Smith of Spokane, Wash.; five step-children: Eric and wife Mary Fissette of West Stewartstown, NH, Kevin Fissette of Florida, Gregory Fissette of Wisconsin, Jason Fissette of Tennessee, and Michelle DuMars and husband Randy of Florida; eight siblings: James and wife Lynda Biron of Colebrook, Michael and wife Marsha Biron of Colebrook, David and wife Ann Biron of Nashville, Tenn., Barbara and husband Laurent Dumont of Bath, Ontario, Jean and husband George Caird of Colebrook, Mary and husband Ron Pirog of Gettysburg, Penn., Judith and husband Philip Ryan of Bedford, NH, and Kathleen Biron-Brooks and husband Syd of Rochester NH; a sister-in-law, Nancy Biron of Colebrook; as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 36 years, Robert “Red” Fissette in 2013, a son, Jimmy Sambito, and a brother, Robert Biron. Calling hours will be on Sunday, July 8, 2018, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook. A memorial service will be the next morning, Monday, July 9, at 11 a.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Colebrook, with The Rev. Timothy Brooks officiating. Interment will immediately follow at the Colebrook Village Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Shirlee may be made to either Two Rivers Ride for Cancer, c/o R. Mulliken, 53 Spring St., Colebrook, NH 03576; or the Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street,Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131; or online at www.parkinson.org. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. The family has entrusted her care to the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook.

Shirlee J. Fissette

June 17, 1935 - June 14, 2018