SUSANNE ROSE BESSEY

WATERVILLE – Susanne Rose Bessey, 88, of Park Residences, died July 12, 2009. Born April 7, 1921, in Brooks, to Edwin Hale Rose and Myra (Brown) Rose, Sue was the youngest of three daughters. She enjoyed a small town Maine childhood, fetching cows with her dog, spending summers with a favorite aunt in Northport and waiting tables in her mother’s rooming house. Sue graduated as valedictorian from Brooks High School and majored in business at Colby College, where she lettered in basketball, was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and was head waitress in the dining hall. In 1942, she graduated from Colby and married the love of her life, Earle D. Bessey. After a year teaching in Princeton, she followed Earle to various Army bases before he was shipped overseas. After Earle returned from the service, they settled in Waterville, where they resided for the rest of their lives. A true people person, Sue devoted her life to family, friends and community. Always the welcoming hostess, one rarely entered her home without smelling blueberry muffins in the oven or finding gingerbread men in the cookie tin. She and Earle reveled in the social life of small town Waterville and were longtime members of Waterville Country Club, participants in the Waterville Historical Society and religiously attended Maine musical theater productions. Sue received a Colby brick in honor of her steadfast support of her alma mater. Not only was she a member of the President’s Club, she and Earle attended most reunions and any football game they could. Susanne was enthusiastic and indefatigable in all that she undertook. A strong supporter of United Church of Christ, Waterville, she was active in Women’s Fellowship and an infinite number of rummage/bake sales and church dinners. Sue and Earle were annual performers in the church sponsored Couple’s Club Minstrel Show, singing and dancing numbers from show tunes. She participated in many divisions of Waterville Women’s Club, including the educational committee, Samaritan, as well as Contemporary Club. Always energetic and on the move, Sue took up golf at Waterville Country Club and played throughout the state of Maine and Eastern Canada. The pinnacle of her golfing was winning the President’s Cup. She also loved to ski, and spent many winters at their Sugarloaf condominium. She and Earle were members of the Washingtonians, a group that took them on ski trips to Europe’s Alps and Dolomites. After the children were grown, Sue returned to work as a bookkeeper in Earle’s business, E.D. Bessey and Son. She also expanded her volunteer activities to the Evening Sandwich Program at the Unitarian Church and served for many years on the board of Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderers. Although born and bred in Maine, she had a thirst to see the world. With Earle and close friends, Mary and Earle Davis, she traveled to every continent with the exception of Antarctica; her favorite trip being that to India, where she rode on elephants into the jungle to see tigers. This same spirit of adventure led them to spend 10 winters in southern Arizona, where they explored the southwest while maintaining New England friendships with other snowbird transplants. Sue loved studying furniture refinishing with Peggy Neal. For many years she traveled every Tuesday to Farmington where she would spend the day working on antiques. She presented her family with many finely done hand-painted chairs and chests of drawers. Many happy moments were spent at her camp on Great Pond, where she welcomed a constant carnival of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren throughout the season. She was a 25-year veteran of the annual Maine Audubon loon count. In her own words she was a “born executive” and considered herself the project manager for Earle and the family, effortlessly organizing boat rides, picnics and especially memorable Thanksgivings. Beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, faithful friend to many, and die-hard Red Sox fan, Sue will be greatly missed. Susanne is survived by a son, Earle “Chip” Bessey and his wife, Bette Jane, of Waterville; a daughter, Camilla Thompson and her husband, Dr. Paul Thompson, of Simsbury, Conn.; a son, David Hale Bessey and his wife, Dr. Katherine “Kitty” Cullina-Bessey, of Upper Montclair, N.J.; as well as 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. The family is extremely grateful for the compassionate and professional care provided by the staffs at MaineGeneral Medical Center, Health Reach Hospice, Lakewood Manor Nursing Home and Park Residences/The Woodlands. Visiting hours will be held 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, at Redington Funeral Home, 5 Park St., Waterville. A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 15, at First Congregational Church, Eustis Parkway, Waterville. Burial will be at Kinney Cemetery, Brooks.