She was born on June 6, 1925 to the late William Brainard and Minnie (Freeman) Brainard in Manchester, CT .
Minnie worked for the State of Connecticut (Norwich Hospital) for 16 years as a Lead Mental Health worker before retiring in 1989. After retirement she opened a Daycare at her home for several years as she loved children. When the children left her Daycare she started working at Three Rivers Community College as a Telecommunications Operator and was there for 8 years. After that she worked for the before and after school program at Stanton School. She also volunteered at Backus Hospital for 12 years.
In 2013, Minnie received and award from the NAACP for her unselfish devotion to the Citizens of Norwich.
Minnie loved all children. Whether you were blood related or not, she was Nanny to them all. She was known for her cakes and loved to cook. She was a spitfire and never stopped doing what she wanted to do. She would say what was on her mind and was also a loving and kind mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother. She was a true friend to many and would do anything for anyone.
Minnie is survived by 3 children all of Norwich, John Ruley, Jr. (with whom she shared her home, Kathy Gilliard (Michael), and Terri DeBarros (Dana) Booth, 4 sisters: Emma Camby and Maryann Euell of Norwich, Drucilla (Bobbie) Williams of Bloomfield and Roxanne Baker of North Carolina, I brother, Arthur (Guy) Brainard of Norwich.
She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her parents, William Brainard Sr. and Minnie (Freeman) Brainard, 3 children: Joann (Ruley, Camby) Mahir of California, Kenneth (Pebs, Buttons) Ruley of Norwich and Edward Ruley of Oregon. She was also predeceased by 4 brothers: William (Sugie) Brainard, Harold Brainard, Edgar Brainard, and John (Jay) Brainard, and l sister, Martha (Brainard) Story.
Visitation will be Saturday May 21, 2022 from 10:00am-11:00am at the Church and Allen Funeral Home 136 Sachem Street Norwich, followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 am at the funeral home.
Please visit www.churchandallen.com to leave an online tribute or condolence.
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