Blanche M. Bessette

NORTH SMITHFIELD - Blanche M. (Baril) Bessette, 94, of North Smithfield, passed away October 30, 2022 in Landmark Medical Center, Woonsocket. She was married to her beloved husband, Emile Bessette who passed in 1992, for forty-six years. Born in Woonsocket, she was the daughter of the late Jean-Baptiste and Rita (Richer) Baril.

Mother of twelve, grandmother of twenty-six, and great grandmother and great-great grandmother to many, she was the family matriarch and "Queen Mom." Blanche lived independently and actively, and she had many traveling adventures, and had a fulfilled life surrounded by family, especially her grandchildren. She was a competitive Rumikub player, which she passed along to all the generations, and she was an intelligent Scrabble player. She was a wonderful cook and baker, and was always available for any caretaking needs.

She is survived by her children, David Bessette and his wife, Norma, of North Smithfield, Sandra Bryson and her husband, Robert, of South Yarmouth, MA, Daniel Bessette and his wife, Celine, of North Smithfield, Audrey Kuczer and her husband, Thomas, of Harrisville, Ann Goryl and her husband, Stanley, of North Smithfield, Elizabeth Brides and her husband, Robert, of North Smithfield, Laura Malo and her husband, Peter, of North Smithfield, Marie Balcom and her husband, Lee, of East Douglas, MA, Carol Hawkins and her husband, John, of North Brookfield, MA, Jean Storer and her husband, Gary, of Woonsocket, Carl Bessette and his wife, Melissa, of Cornelious, OR, Karen Jackson and her husband, Bill, of Woonsocket, and she was the mother of the late Roy Bessette. She is also survived by her sisters, Claire Murray of Lake Havasu, AZ, and Irene Sharp of Lakewood, WA; twenty-six grandchildren, many great grandchildren and great-great granchildren; as well as, her loving extended family. She was predeceased by several siblings.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at 11 AM in St. John the Evangelist Church, 63 Church St. Slatersville. Burial will be private. Arrangements are under the direction of the Holt Funeral Home, 510 South Main St., Woonsocket. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at stjude.org

www.holtfuneralhome.com