Rita M. Bessey

Rita Marie (Bourcier) Bessey, 79 of Chicopee MA., passed away Friday, June 3, 2022. She was born in Springfield, MA to the late Mr. & Mrs. Raymond & Dora Bourcier. She was pre-deceased by her son, John A. Bessey IV, and her husband, John A. Bessey, III. She is survived by her five adult children, Charlene M. (Bessey) Alvarado, Raymond A. Bessey, Doreen B. Bessey-Robbins, Melissa G. (Bessey) Ablavsky, James A. Bessey, five grandchildren, Michelle Bailey, Angela Bessey, Kyle Robbins, Ryan Robbins and Shoshanna Ablavsky, three great-grandchildren, Brandon Bailey, Dylan Bailey and Mia Bauer, many beloved sisters-in-law, and a brother-in-law, and many nieces and nephews by marriage. Rita Graduated from Commerce High School in 1959 and could type 90 words per minute. She volunteered at Our Lady of Hope School where her children attended and helped children that needed extra help in reading and math. She worked at Big Y in Chicopee at the deli and as a Springfield School Lunch Lady. Rita loved children, babies, animals, Rocky Neck, sewing, crafts, and was a great homemade cook and baker. She always looked forward to going to Christmas open house at her good friends Terry & John Wright's home with their children. She was an involved mother who walked her children to and from school and enrolled them in scouting, musical instrument training, and sports. She will be missed by all the people whose lives she touched through all of her years. The graveside service will be on Monday, June 20, 2022 at 10 a.m. at St. Aloysius Cemetery, 1273 Berkshire Ave., Indian Orchard, MA 01151. There is no gathering afterward, however in September we will have a celebration of life.