Jean Ellen Bessey, 86, of 4905 Maple Grove Rd., Friendship, passed away Saturday, February 17, 2018 at Cuba Memorial Hospital. after a brief illness. Born October 20, 1931 in Wellsville she was the daughter of Russell and Vinah Heysham Gavitt. On July 3, 1949 in Wellsville, she married the Bernard Burris "Toby" Bessey who predeceased her on February 7, 2018.
Jean had resided all of her life in the Wellsville- Friendship areas. She attended the Wellsville School District School . After her marriage to Toby, they moved to Inavale on Toby's family farm and later for 25 years she was employed at Acme Electric Corp. in Cuba as an assembler retiring in 1992.
She enjoyed sewing, crafting, baking, traveling and camping. Her greatest joy was to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
Jean was a member of the Friendship First United Methodist Church ; Amity Friends # 192 Order of the Eastern Star and past Grand Officer; Olean Court # 19 Order of the Amaranth; Musical Library Club of Friendship; Allegany Co. Federation of Women's Clubs; Friendship Crafty Belles and the Friendship Red Hats.
Surviving are two sons, David A. (Keiko) Bessey of Newport News, VA and Paul E. (Phyllis) Bessey of Friendship; a daughter, Roxanne K. Burdick of Friendship; seven grandchildren, Clinton Burdick, Vicky Bessey, David Bessey Jr., Teresa Bailey, Benjamin Burdick, Sarah Burdick and Amber Ramsey; ten great grandchildren, Stephanie Mallory, Thomas Burdick, Gary Burdick, Joe Burdick, Robbie Burdick, Megan Bailey, Dylan Burdick, Dawson Bailey, Dustin Bailey, Lydia Bessey-Tolley, and Emery Bessey- Tolley;
and several nieces and nephews.
Jean was predeceased by her parents; a son, Bernard "Dean" Bessey; a son in law, Gary Burdick; two grandsons, Abraham Burdick and Noah Burdick; a step brother, Richard Hungerford; a twin sister, Jeanette Jones and a sister Gertrude Gavitt.
Friends may call at the Treusdell Funeral Home, Friendship, 2-4 and 6-8 pm on Thursday February 22, 2018. Funeral services will be held Friday February 23, 2018 at the Friendship First United Methodist Church at 11:00 am. The Rev. Clara Wilder, Pastor will officiate and burial will be in Dimmick Cemetery, Town of Wirt. Memorials may be made to the Friendship First United Methodist Church or the Friendship or Amity Friends #192 Order of the Eastern Star. Online condolences may be expressed by clicking the button below.
