Joan A. Bessette

Turners Falls, MA
Joan Ann (Gleason) Bessette, 64, of 10 Norman Circle, died peacefully at home on Saturday morning, May 19, 2018 surrounded by her loving family following a courageous fight against ovarian cancer.
A native of Greenfield, MA, she was born on July 10, 1953 to Theresa (Frenier) and Rudolph Gleason. She attended Greenfield Public Schools. Joan worked at the former Burger Chef and Greenfield Steel Stamp in Greenfield, as well as for Geka Brush in Turners Falls, MA. Later, she worked at Yankee Candle as a candle maker, and for FCTS (Franklin County Technical School) in the cafeteria, until ill health prevented her from continuing.
She married the love of her life Dana F. Bessette on July 17, 1981 in Holy Trinity Church, with Rev. Fr. John Roach, as the celebrant. They observed their 36th wedding anniversary last year. Joan, the consummate party planner, enjoyed hosting numerous get-togethers, celebrations and parties in their home in Turners Falls. Family and friends were center point to her very existence and happiness, as was music, dancing, laughter and enjoying selected craft beers and a glass of Pinot Noir.
She is lovingly remembered by her devoted husband Dana, as well as by their loving children: Jeffery A. Bessette, of Northfield, MA; Jannel A. Belanger of OK, Stephanie A. Belanger of Turners Falls, MA and Jessica M. Fox (Noah) of Turners Falls, MA. Additionally, Joan leaves her adoring grandchildren: Kaineeca, Taylana, Natalie, Brittany, Liam and Wesley. Joan is remembered with great affection by her siblings: Ronald Gleason (Donna) of Greenfield, MA, Aureila Gleason of Greenfield, MA, Nancy McCarthy (John) of Anchorage, AK, Peggy Rockwood (Raymond) of South Deerfield, MA and Jean Douglas (Gary) of Northfield, MA, along with several nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews. She is remembered with affection by her sister-in-law Louise Gleason of Winchester, NH and by her brother-in-law Gary Bessette of Turners Falls, MA. Joan was predeceased by her parents Theresa and Rudolph, by her son Ben “Benny” Bessette, her mother-in-law Amelia “Millie” Bessette and by her siblings, Joseph Gleason and Pamela Ward.
Funeral services in celebration of her life, will be observed on WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018 at 11:00AM from the McCarthy Funeral Homes, 14 Prospect Street, Turners Falls, MA, with Rev. Fr. Thomas Lisowski, Pastor, of St. Patrick’s Church, Northfield, MA to offer the Catholic Rite of Burial Service. Rites of committal and burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Turners Falls, MA. The Bessette and Gleason families, will receive guests on Wednesday morning from 10:00AM until the time of the formal services. At Joan’s request, flowers are respectfully requested to be omitted with a charitable gift in her memory, preferred to the Susan F. Smith Ovarian Cancer Center at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215.

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