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- Vera Agnes Bassett, May 17, 1912 - November 11, 1992
Vera A. Bassett. retired Jackson Community College (JCC) nursing instructor, wife of former State Representative Dr. Wilfred G. Bassett and third generation Jackson area pioneer, died Wednesday, November 11, 1992 after an extended illness at Vista Grande Villa. She was 80 years old.
Mrs. Bassett was instructor of life sciences at JCC from 1962 to 1977 and Chairman Emeritus of Bassett & Bassett, Incorporated of Detroit since 1986.
She was instrumental in establishing the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) curriculum at JCC. She taught nearly 800 LPN graduates. Her classes consistently scored at the top of the state licensing exams.
Mrs. Bassett was the spouse of long-time Jackson state representative to the Michigan legislature, Dr. Wilfred G. Bassett. Dr. Bassett was an attorney and community leader. He died in 1986. Dr. and Mrs. Bassett were married for 53 years.
Mrs. Bassett's grandfather, Thomas Patton Smith, was the first caucasian child born in the Rives Township area, when it was still the American "wild west". His family came from New York in a covered wagon in September, 1837. They managed to build a three-sided cabin by December when he was born, and kept a fire going all winter to keep animals at bay.
Mr. Smith eventually had 16 children and farmed a full section (640 acres) obtained under a federal land settlement grant.
Mrs. Bassett was born in Jackson May 17, 1912, the daughter of Lewie J. and Altha Lydia Smith Scheffel of Jackson, Michigan. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Jackson High School and the University of Michigan where she excelled in tennis, swimming and dance.
"We lovingly called her the iron butterfly," son Leland Bassett said. "She had the constitution and strength of cast iron with the sensitivity, grace and warmth of a butterfly. She did so much for so many for such a long time."
"Vera Bassett had a natural ability to profoundly touch the lives of everyone who met her," son George Bassett said. "She was filled with love and lived out a philosophy that each of us has a responsibility to make the world a better place as we pass through it."
Mrs. Bassett was a member of the First Baptist Church for 44 years, first joining in 1948. She was a life-long resident of Jackson except when she lived in Lansing from 1968 to 1978. She and Dr. Bassett still maintained the family home in Jackson during that time.
She was a charter member of Lawyer's Wives of Michigan, life member of the Michigan House and Senate Club, life member and past president of the University of Michigan Alumni Club of Jackson; member of the University of Michigan Nurses Alumni Association, Jackson Bar Auxiliary, Jackson Community College Faculty Association, Michigan Education Association, Jackson County Association of Retired School Personnel, State Employees Retirees Association, Hanover Historical Association, Jackson Women's City Club and the Country Club of Jackson.
Mrs. Bassett was predeceased by her two sisters Veda Janet Day in 1970 and Sarah Angeline Cain in 1991. Mrs. Bassett is survived by two sons and a daughter, Dr. W. George Bassett and his wife Edwina Bassett of Mercer Island, Washington (Seattle); Leland K. and his wife Tina Bassett of Farmington Hills, Michigan and Nancy Jane Bassett of Lansing, Michigan.
Mrs. Bassett is also survived by five grandchildren, Joshua and Robert Bassett of Detroit, Michigan; and Emily, Vanessa and John Bassett of Mercer Island, Washington. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Jane Bassett Butters of South Bend, Indiana and several nieces and nephews.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1912 - 1992 (80 years)