| Notes |
- Portsmouth Herald, 16 May 2000
Myra K. Bassett
OGUNQUIT - Myra Kenney Bassett, 92, a well-known local personality, died
unexpectedly Monday, May 8, 2000 at her home in the village.
Born in 1908, in Medfield, Mass., she was the first of three children born to
Hiram Kenney of Tabasintac, New Brunswick, and Delia O'Brahney Kenny of
Roscommon, Ireland.
She attended Rumford schools and graduated from the Maine Eye & Ear Infirmary
in Portland in 1930. In 1939, she became the first nursing instructor of the
newly formed Women's Army Corps. After the war she became head of the special
surgical unit at the John Sealy Hospital in Galveston, Texas, which provided
much of the care for the burn victims of the 1948 Texas City disaste
In 1932, she married Dwight Bassett of Ogunquit, whose family operated
Bassett's Crystal Spring Park and Lodges on Route 1 north of town.
In 1952, she and Dwight bought their guest house on Beach Street and operated
it for more than 30 years.
In 1928, out on a forbidden date, she flew over Ogunquit Beach in a biplane.
Seventy years later, to celebrate her 90th birthday, she flew over it again,
this time in a parasail. She was feisty, outspoken, adventurous, generous, and
funny. To her last day, she was in charge.
She leaves her son and daughter-in-law, Kenney Bassett and Claire LaVoie of
North Hero, Vt.; and her sisters-in-law, Leona Kenney of Orange, Texas and
Harriet Kenney of Gold Run, Calif.
She was predeceased by her husband in 1986; by her brothers Walter Kenney of
Orange, Texas, and Vernon Kenney of Gold Run, Calif.; and by her stepmother
Blanche Lynn Kenney of Dixfield, Maine.
She was a unique and colorful personality and will be missed by her extended
family and a legion of friends. Funeral services will be private.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1908 - 2000 (92 years)