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- Philadelphia Inquirer, 11 Jun 2004
Mary F. Bassett
Ice cream matriarch, 94
Mary Ferguson Bassett, 94, of Gwynedd, matriarch of a Philadelphia ice cream dynasty, died Saturday of complications from an aneurysm at Foulkeways, a retirement community in Gwynedd.
In 1930, she married Lewis L. Bassett Jr., whose grandfather had begun making ice cream in 1861 at his Salem, N.J., farmhouse. Her daughter, Ann, said her mother briefly worked for Bassetts Ice Cream at the Reading Terminal Market. She then became a chief consultant and taster for new flavors her husband concocted. When he died in 1986, after 46 years as president, daughter Ann Bassett became president. The company is now run by Ann's son, Michael Strange.
Over the years, as Bassetts expanded to new markets, Mrs. Bassett continued to monitor the quality of the ice cream and in March gave approval for new packaging.
A native of West Philadelphia, Mrs. Bassett graduated from Friends Select School in Philadelphia, For 70 years she lived in Gwynedd, where she enjoyed tending her flower garden.
In addition to her daughter, she is survived by a son, David, and five grandchildren. She was predeceased by two other sons, Lewis and Todd. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. June 19 at Gwynedd Friends Meeting House, Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Friends Service Committee, c/o Development, 1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia 19102.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1944 - 1972 (28 years)