Cleo Elizabeth (Appleby) Ryerson

NORWAY – Cleo Elizabeth Appleby Ryerson was born on Dec. 6, 1926 in Woodstock. With family by her side, on Jan. 10, 2025 at the age of 98, Cleo was called to be with Jesus. Cleo was the daughter of the late Walter Everett and Evelyn Benson Appleby of West Paris. Cleo attended the Woodstock Seventh Day Adventist “Forestdale” Church School “in the valley” on its opening day and was valedictorian for the first graduating class in 1940. With her parents, she was very active in the local 4-H programs. She graduated from Woodstock High in 1944 and had high hopes of attending Atlantic Seventh Day Adventist Union College in South Lancaster, Mass. After one day on campus, she decided being “in the valley” was where she belonged. Over the years she worked for Burnham & Morrill Canning Company, the State Farm Bureau Office in South Paris, Wesso Orchards and Ledgeview Nursing Home in West Paris. Also, in 1956 she started keeping the books for the Appleby Plumbing and Heating, a family business.

Cleo married Emery Alexander Ryerson on Dec. 21, 1946 in West Paris. Cleo enjoyed being a homemaker, all while raising her family. She was well known for baking an awesome pot of beans with homemade bread every Saturday night. She was a 63-year member of the Ring-McKeen Post #151 American Legion Auxiliary, holding positions of president, treasurer, chaplain and historian over the years. She also served as chairperson for the Oxford County Girls State for several years hosting banquets for the local state delegates. She and her late husband planned the Memorial Day service in West Paris for 30-plus years. They also organized the West Paris Old Home Days festivities for many years. Cleo and Emery celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their family in December, 1996.

During her later years she enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and many, many friends. She was an avid local historian writing in her journal each day which she had done for many years ~ yes, we have all the local history at our fingertips to include the date that the frogs started peeping last spring. She had many friends from all walks of life and anyone that she talked with was forever in her daily prayers. She read her bible lessons faithfully each night before turning off the light. She was an expert at putting puzzles together and recently completed an aerial view puzzle of her home. Cleo enjoyed her flower and vegetable gardens and helped with canning this past fall. She enjoyed traveling with her children visiting Missouri, New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alaska and Cancun ~ she made the front page of the Bethel Citizen at the age of 86, parasailing with Craig on that trip! She enjoyed a wonderful seven-day cruise with her family to the eastern Caribbean along with her roomie, Katrina, where she enjoyed being with her family, the entertainment, the meals and of course making many new friends. However, most of all, Cleo enjoyed being home “in the valley” visiting with all those close to her.

She is survived by her four sons, Craig Ryerson and his wife, Jane of Bethel, Duane Ryerson and his wife, Lisa of Woodstock, Perry Ryerson and his wife, Anna of Wayne and Troy Ryerson of Woodstock; grandchildren Julie (Roland) Jacques of Albany, Pammy (Forrie) Everett of South Paris, Dr. Deborah (Greg Bowman) Hadley of Waltham, Mass., Andy (Sherri) Hadley of Dixfield, Keith Ryerson of Bethel, Deanna (Pete Gordon) Ryerson and Monica (Tracy) Gordon of Albany, Carrie (Neil) Phelps of Mason Township, Melanie (Nathan Black) Ryerson of Woodstock, Chad (Gladys) Ryerson of Washington, D.C., Kyle Ryerson of Cumberland, Alex Ryerson of Auburn and Louis Gallant of Farmington; great-grandchildren are Hannah, Victoria and Ava Ryerson of Bethel, Austin (Alyssa) Ryerson of Mary Ester, Fla., Brent Gordon of Greenwood, Aiden and Wyatt Gordon of Roxbury, Sawyer Gordon of Albany, Boston (Hanah Howes) Ludden and Noah and Harper Phelps all of Mason Township; Maggie, Bella and Abby Black and Sierra Ryerson all of Woodstock; Rowen Ryerson of North Paris, Malaya and Miles Ryerson of Washington, D.C. and Grace and Luke Ryerson of Cumberland; great-great-grandchildren Violet Ryerson of Mary Esther, Fla. and Athena and Jarvis James Ludden of Mason Township. She is also survived by daughters-in-law Wanda (Mike) Worthley of Roxbury and Carol (Wally) Vickerson of West Paris. She leaves numerous special nephews, nieces; cousins; and many loved ones.

Cleo was predeceased by her husband, Emery; a daughter, Pamela, a son, David Belskis; three sisters, Helen Heath, Maude Alice Hadley and Betty Estabrook, brother, Walter “Joe Pete” Appleby, Jr.; her parents Evelyn and Walter Appleby, Sr.; and three grandsons, Donald, Matthew and Casey Ryerson.

The family gives heartfelt thanks to Troy for his care of his mother for many years. A special thank you to her care team at Stephens Memorial Hospital along with those who lovingly cared for Cleo while at home: Kathy Tibbetts, Katrina Lowe, Roben Dolloff, Caryn Balcom, Kailie Balcom, Julie Hadley, Michele Cox, and Laurie Wilson.

A celebration of life will be held at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Woodstock at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 18. After the service a lunch will follow.

Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, 45 Main St., South Paris. Online condolences may be shared with her family at http://www.chandlerfunerals.com

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Cleo’s memory to the

Seventh Day Adventist Church,

43 Perkins Valley Rd.,

Bryant Pond, ME 04219