| Notes |
- Wanda Bassett, 85, Cub Scout pioneer
Wanda H. "Kit" Bassett of West Lane, who helped start Ridgefield Little League and pioneered Cub Scouting here, died Sunday, July 20, in Jensen Beach, Fla., her part-time home. She was 85 years old and the wife of Charles Bassett.
Mrs. Bassett was born Aug. 6, 1917, on a farm in LaPorte, Ind. She went to LaPorte schools and graduated in 1934 from LaPorte Business College. She then went to work at the college, teaching courses in shorthand, typing and title searching.
In 1940, she married her childhood sweetheart. She and Charles Bassett had grown up on adjoining farms in LaPorte. "I taught her how to ride a bicycle when she was 10 years old," Mr. Bassett recalled this week. Mr. Bassett's job as a Pan American World Airlines pilot eventually took them to Long Island in the 1940s, but their desire to live in more rural surroundings led them to Ridgefield. In 1950, when the town had only 4,500 people, they bought a barn on farmland along lower West Lane, near the New York line, and converted it into a home. Sixteen years laters, they moved to a new house they built on the property. mrs. Bassett was a pioneer in providing programs for young people. In 1954, she and Altero "Chick" Ciuccoli joined William W. Allen in helping to start the Ridgefield Little League. Around the same time, she gained permission from the Boy Scouts of America to establish Ridgefield's first Cub Scout group, Pack 47.
She was also active in Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church, and was well known for working the "Green Thumb" plant stand at the church's annual Yankee Peddler Fair. Mrs. Bassett was a skilled gardener, specializing in African violets and geraniums. She also liked watching and feeding the birds. She was acoomplished at needlework, including quilting, sewing, knitting and crocheting, as well as hooking rugs.
Years ago, she was an active bowler, playing at first in the lanes in the basement of the Congregational Church House on West Lane and later bowling witht he women's league at RidgeBowl. Mrs. Bassett enjoyed traveling. "She traveled the world over during her lifetime," her husband said, "but she always considered Ridgefield her sacred home." "Kit had an infectious personality that won her many friends over the years," Mr. Bassett added.
Besides her husband of 63 years, Mrs. Bassett is survived by three sons, Gregory Bassett of Osborn, Maine, Douglas Bassett of Wichita, Kans., and Dennis Bassett of White City, Fla.; a sister, Bernece Simcox of LaPorte; four grandchildren, Anastasia Ruiz, Sharron Bassett, Hilary Bassett, and Lisa Beckham; and two great-grandchildren, Oliva Ruiz and Jesse Beckham. The Rev. Bill Pfohl will lead a memorial service on Thursday, Aug. 21, at 11 a.m. at Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the church, 207 Main Street, Ridgefield 06877.
|
Bassett Family Association Database
1917 - 20 Jul