Eleanor F. Bessom

NEWPORT NEWS - Eleanor Frances Fitts Bessom, 92, passed away Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009. She was born March 5, 1917, in Northboro, Mass., to Marion Charlotte Collins Fitts and Harold Edward Fitts. Ellie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Cortland Lewis Bessom; three sons, Charles Allen Cash, Allen Steven Cash, and Bruce Edward Keady; two grandchildren, Dale Philip Gothing and Lauren Elizabeth Bessom; and her brother, Floyd Lester Fitts.
She is survived by her daughter, Rita Lorraine Cash Gothing; and two sisters, Vera Sjolander and Barbara Lurvey. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Richard Ellery Bessom (Sharon), Judith Bessom Arnold, Edward Lewis Bessom (Louise), David Cortland Bessom (Terri), and Jacqueline Bessom Rockwell (William); and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other extended family members.
Ellie graduated from Northboro, Mass. High School and the University of Massachusetts. She majored in home economics and worked as a dietician in hospitals and nursing homes. Ellie had lived in Newport News since 1977. She devoted her time to the care and interests of those around her by involving herself with such organizations as Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, and Special Olympics to name a few. Before the death of her husband, Cort, in 2002, they both turned their love of plants and flowers into a resource for the Arthritis Foundation, by having annual plants sales and donating the proceeds to the Foundation. Eleanor was a member of Hilton Christian Church and was an active member of their various charitable causes, as well as a member of the choir. Ellie was known for her enthusiasm for helping those around her and her zest for life itself. She was talented in the areas of cooking, rug-braiding, sewing, and yarn-work, as well as her gift for making plants flourish. She had a positive impact on so many lives and will be missed by many.
The family will receive visitors at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, with a celebration of life at 2 p.m., at Peninsula Funeral Home. Following the service, Hilton Christian Church is hosting a reception. Burial and graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Pine Grove Cemetery in Boylston, Mass. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.