Dorothy Emma Bessette

Dorothy Emma Bessette of Sherry La., Town of Ulster died Monday, December 23, 2013 at Northern Dutchess Hospital. She was 91. She was born in Burlington, VT, a daughter of the late Thomas J. and Alice Kieslich Mills. She married Donald R. Bessette on February 8, 1942. Over the years Dorothy worked at JC Penney and as a bank teller at Merchant's Bank. She belonged to the Heineburg Senior Center and was active in their Craft Group. An avid crocheter and quilter, Dorothy belonged to the Red Hats and volunteered for R.S.V.P. For over 50 years Dorothy lived on Locust Terrace and then moved to Colchester, VT for 5 years. She spent the remainder of her years living with her daughter, Deborah where she was lovingly cared for by her family. Beloved wife of the late Donald R. Bessette; loving mother of Deborah Emma Bessette and her life partner, Steve Doris of Town of Ulster, the late Donald R. Bessette, Jr. who died in 1996 and the late Douglas E. Bessette who died in 1985; grandmother of Stacey Leigh Valerio, Melissa N. Bierstock, and Sarah Alice Bierstock-Rosen; great grandmother of Tate Michael and Ava May Valerio, Emma and Eli Loewen; aunt of Tom and Carol Godbout. Many nieces, nephews, sister in laws and brother in law on Donald's side, also survive. She has many dear friends, in Burlington, VT who will miss her dearly. Family and friends will gather at Simpson Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave. on Saturday from 2:00 3:00 pm. A celebration of Dorothy's life will then be conducted at 3:00 pm by Robert Gaus. Inurnment, in Vermont, will be at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, 1430 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10028.