September 27, 1926 - October 20, 2023
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother and sister, Bessie Mae Taylor of Raleigh, presiding at the Shirley Haven Senior Home in St. Anthony. After a short illness Bessie passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, October 20, 2023, at the Charles Curtis Memorial Hospital at the age of 97 years.
Bessie was born in Wild Bight, Cape Norman, one of 16 children. At an early age, in order to survive, moved to Quirpon and then Raleigh where she worked with large fishing crews cooking, cleaning and performing many other chores that were assigned to her.
It was in Raleigh where she met and married Ernest Taylor and raised five children. Alongside her husband she took care of all household chores and also worked in the fishing stage for many hours often extending to late nights putting away fish. She also spent many hours in the vegetable garden. Bessie was a life long member of the Raleigh UCW and also taught Sunday School. Throughout the years she also boarded many teachers and ministers who needed a place to reside. She also sewed for many years for the Grenfell Mission, making parkas.
After the passing of her husband in 1979 she continued with her sewing and knitting and also spent a summer working on the water line in Raleigh. In later years she met a friend and partner. Together they spent time travelling back and forth from her home to his, also doing a lot of camping and some gardening. During those years she also began playing darts, which she enjoyed very much, playing in a number of tournaments. After the passing of her partner in 2013 she spent time with her children from Raleigh to Grande Prairie. In 2020 she moved into Shirley Haven Seniors Home where she resided until her passing.
Bessie leaves to mourn with fond and loving memories her sons David, Cyril (Bernette), Alvin (Bev), daughters Edith Patey, Bernice (Glossen) Taylor, fifteen grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren. Brothers Cyril (Elvie) Campbell, Harrison Campbell, Melvin (Cora) Campbell, Seymour Campbell, Sisters Bertha (Maxwell) Richards, Christina Dredge, Edith Smith, sister in law Marie Campbell, and extended family and friends.
She is predeceased by husband Ernest, parents Robert and Edith Campbell, special partner Adam Williams, daughter in law Phyllis Taylor, son in law, Winston Patey, brothers Edward Campbell, Allan Campbell, Herbert Campbell. Sisters Margarete (Herbert) Gorman, Susie (Hebert) Pilgrim, Sarah (Benjamin) Letto, brother in law Lorenzo Dredge
The family wishes to send thanks to the staff of Shirley’s Haven Seniors Home for their care of our mother during her stay at the home. Also thank you to the doctors and nurses of Charles Curtis Memorial Hospital who helped to care for her and make her comfortable during her stay this past week. A special thank you to her granddaughter, Lisa Webb, who spent the last three nights with her in palliative care. Her presence and knowledge of palliative care helped us greatly during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, donations are graciously accepted to the Raleigh United Church Women in Bessie’s memory.
Visitation to take place from Raleigh United Church in Raleigh on Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 7:00 pm to 9 p.m. Sunday, October 22, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Funeral will take place on Monday, October 23, 2023 at 2;00 p.m. with Rev Art Kinsella officiating.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Kerry M. Fillatre Funeral Home, St. Anthony and Roddickton, Lee Nippard Funeral Director.