DANVILLE, Vt. – Geraldine “Gerry” (Page) Bess, 80, of 144 Brainerd St., died peacefully Sunday evening Jan. 18, 2004, at her home after struggling for eight years with Alzheimer’s disease and its resulting complications. Gerry was born Sept. 12, 1923, in Dexter, the daughter of Frank and Laura (Howell) Page. She attended Dexter schools and earned her GED diploma in 1989 at the age of 66. She served during World War II in the Woman’s Army Corps. (WAC) from October 1944 to July 1946, initially training at the School for Bakers and Cooks in Louisiana, and subsequently with the Army Postal Service in New York City. On Dec. 21, 1946, she married Gordon W. Bess, a career Army soldier at Fort Amador, Panama Canal Zone. She moved with husband and family to various duty stations in the Canal Zone, the U.S. and overseas in Taiwan. After her husband’s retirement from active duty in 1959, they lived in Meriden, Conn., until 1968 when then settled permanently in Danville. Gerry is survived by her husband, Gordon; sister, Judith Comeau of Dennysville; daughter, Linda Bess; daughter, Laura Daudelin and husband, Mark, of Waterbury, Vt.; son, Richard Bess; son, Alan Bess; and daughter, Judith Houston of Marshfield; grandchildren, Kate and Alexa Daudelin, Scott, Ryan and Jade Houston, Kirstyn, Keith and Gabriella Bess, Roderick Bess; and one great-granddaughter, Kiandra Geraldine Bess. She was predeceased by a son, Kenneth, in 1995. Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday at the Danville United Methodist Church. The Rev. Henry Cheney, pastor, will officiate. Family committal services will be held in May at Danville Green Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held 6-9 p.m. Wednesday at the Sayles Funeral Home. If desired, memorial donations may be made to the VT-NH Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 1139, Montpelier, VT 05601 or to the Danville Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 255, Danville, VT 05828. Arrangements by Sayles Funeral Home located at 525 Summer St., in St. Johnsbury.
GERALDINE (PAGE) BESS
