Blanche “Edna” Bessett, 92, died in the afternoon of May 8 at the Cedar Glen Nursing Home in Danvers, MA.
Born in Holyoke, MA, on May 19, 1915, Edna was the eldest child born to her beloved parents, George and Blanche (Gagnon) Riviere, and was a devoted sister to George Riviere, Jr., and Cecile Minkalis, both of whom predeceased her. Edna married William “Bill” Bessett of Holyoke, MA, in a beautiful Depression-era ceremony she often recalled, and she shared her life with him for fifty years until his passing.
She lovingly raised the joy of her life, her son Richard, setting aside money for his guitar and dance lessons and sewing costumes for his performances in his youth. A teacher for 24 years at Holyoke Day Nursery, Edna knew all of the words to favorite children’s songs and could create a connection to any child. After retiring, she moved with Bill to Derry, NH, to be closer to, and fuss over, her son and granddaughters.
Her life was full of travel throughout the United States, and she was especially fond of weekend drives to New York State and the Maine-NH coast, where she rented a cottage with her family each summer. Always a lover of nature, Edna took pleasure in the adventures of the birds outside her window in her later years. She read extensively, was a dedicated correspondent, and enjoyed chatting with her friends and neighbors. Throughout her life, she practiced a quiet philanthropy, supporting her local Catholic parishes and a variety of good works, as well as generously tucking “pin money” into her letters.
Edna is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Julia Bessett of Calabash, NC, and two granddaughters: Danielle Bessett of Amherst, MA; and Michelle Bessett of Shrewsbury, MA. She also leaves several nieces and nephews, including Marian Kennedy of Manchester, CT, whom Edna considered to be like a daughter, and her family.
A private family funeral was held on May 10th in the parish of St. Theresa of Lisieux in South Hadley, MA, and Edna was interred with her parents and her husband at the nearby Precious Blood cemetery. In honor of Edna’s lifelong charity, contributions in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.