On January 16, 2014, Theresa (Beauregard) Bessette was called home to the Heavenly
Kingdom after a brave battle with cancer.
Theresa, Meme, to her family, was born February 4, 1939, in Actonville, Quebec, Canada.
As a young girl, Theresa and her family moved to West Berkshire, Vermont, where she grew up
on the family farm. As the oldest sister in a large family, she learned the value of hard work and the
importance of family.
Theresa graduated from the former St. Mary's Catholic High School in St. Albans, Vermont,
in 1958. Shortly after graduation, she met and soon married the love of her life, Roger O. Bessette, and
they enjoyed 53 years of married life together. Shortly after their marriage, the couple moved to
Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
Theresa was a communicant of St. Francis Xavier Parish until its closure. She was employed as
the Rectory Caretaker for over ten years. She was a charter member of the St. Anne's Society, an
Eucharistic Minister for over twenty five years, and held multiple positions within the Church, including
chairperson of numerous 20/20 Clubs.
She was pre-deceased by her parents, Romain Beauregard and Aline DeSlande.
She is survived by her husband, Roger O. Bessette, whom she married July 18, 1960, in All Saints
Church in Richford, Vermont; her daughter, Lori (Bessette) Schoonmaker and her husband, Bill, of
Vergennes, Vermont; her son, Michael Bessette and his wife, Erin Flynn of Jackson Hole, Wyoming; two
granddaughters Julie Schoonmaker and Jaclyn Schoonmaker; grandsons, Jason Szklasz, Justin Szklasz,
Kye Bessette, Tosh Bessette, and Ashe Bessette; great granddaughter, Sophia Schoonmaker; great
grandsons, Marcellus Szklasz, Schyler Grace, Gavin Szklasz, and Gregory Grace; two sisters, Celine
Pillsbury and her husband, George, of South Burlington, Vermont and Rejeanne St. Pierre and her
husband, Dominique, of Summerfield, Florida; two brothers, Yves Beauregard and his wife, Diane, of
Berkshire Center, Vermont, and Real Beauregard of Swanton, Vermont; three nieces, nine nephews, and
an entire community of friends who were her "extended family".
The family would like to thank Dr. DeMarco and the wonderful nursing staff at Berkshire
Medical Center for the wonderful care that they provided.


FUNERAL NOTICE:
Funeral services for Theresa Rita Bessette will be held Tuesday, January 21, at 9:00 a.m. from
DERY FUNERAL HOME in Pittsfield with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at St. Agnes Church in Dalton
at 10:00 a.m., celebrated by Rev. Christopher A. Malatesta, Pastor. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's
Cemetery. Calling hours will be Monday, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the DERY FUNERAL HOME in
Pittsfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital in care
of DERY FUNERAL HOME, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield, Mass., 01201.

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