Doris R. (Ruwet) Sibley

Harwinton- Doris R. Sibley, 102, passed away Friday, October 17, 2025, at her home surrounded by her children. She was the beloved wife of the late Harold R. Sibley, Jr.

Mrs. Sibley was born in Torrington on September 9, 1923, daughter of the late Louis and Alice (Begey) Ruwet, and had been a lifelong area resident. Doris began her career as a switchboard operator, the high tech occupation of the 1930’s. While raising three children in the 1960’s she also worked as Office Manager at Ruwet-Sibley Fuel Oil company. In this capacity she again used advanced computing services of the time to compute when fuel oil was needed to be delivered to homes. Her fascination with tech shifted from professional to personal using personal computers, email, iPhone’s and bought her first Apple watch at 101.  

Survivors include three children, Claire S. Galli of Hartford, Janet S. Gawrych of Pacific Beach, CA, Harold “Peter” Sibley, III, and his wife, Joy, of San Diego, CA,; eight grandchildren, Jaime Sparrow, Jaeson Galli, Kinson Gawrych, Kristopher Gawrych, Scott Sibley, Morgan Sibley, Samantha Gawrych, and Rachel Robbins; 13 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Sibley was predeceased by her siblings, Vincent, Joseph, Edmund, and George Ruwet, and Eileen Kennedy, and sons-in-law, Robert Galli and John Gawrych.

Doris received numerous acknowledgements from many organizations from an early age. This included a 1939 sewing award given in Washington DC, the 1944 Litchfield County Fair 4-H award, the 1949 YMCA Board award and many others. Mrs. Sibley was passionate about her involvement in local community work, particularly Junior Women’s Club and later Harwinton Women’s Club, where she served as President. Her involvement continued for decades and included participating in the annual Woman’s Club Quilt fund raiser. 

Doris was a dedicated and beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Over the last 17 years she spent six months every year in San Diego to be part of their daily lives and supporting their many accomplishments. 

Doris will be remembered most by her family, friends and acquaintances for her warmth, intelligence and curiosity. Everyone she met was touched by her common sense approach to problems, issues and life. Over her last decade she continued to grow her social network as evidenced by the over 250 people who attended her centennial birthday. 

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, October 24, 2025, at 11:00a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 78 Litchfield Rd., Harwinton. Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery, Torrington. Friends may call Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00p.m. at Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home, 258 Prospect St., Torrington.

At the request of the family, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Joseph Ruwet Bunnell Scholarship Fund, ℅ 524 Maple St., Litchfield, CT 06759 or the National Ataxia Foundation (ataxia.org/donate)

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