Mrs. Bushwell was the youngest of three children. Raised in the Vailsburg section of Newark, she attended Vailsburg High School. Upon graduation, she was employed at the Prudential Life Insurance Company, and later met her husband, Ronald.

Mrs. Bushwell is predeceased by her husband, Ronald; her parents, William and Catherine Gaffney; her brother, William Gaffney Jr.; and her sister, Catherine Gaffney.

Surviving are six children: Linda Engelberger; Michael Bushwell; Gregory Bushwell; Kathleen Bushwell Fordyce; Brian Bushwell; and Mary Kay Bushwell; as well as 14 grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making memorial donations to the Parish of St. Philomena in Livingston, NJ.

Open visitation was held on Tuesday, April 4 in Livingston. A funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, April 5 at St. Philomena Church.