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- Death Ends 52 years? Teaching
Mrs. Rachel Bessette Pioneer Teacher in New Bedford Died This Morning
Organized Parochial Schools in Four of Five French Parishes Here
The death of Mrs. Rachel Bessette, mother of Alfred M. Bessette, representative to the general court from this district, occurred this morning at her home 254 Cedar Grove street. Mrs. Bessette was a pioneer teacher, having organized the parochial schools of four of the French parishes in New Bedford, and having had, under the charge, the early education of many of New Bedford?s prominent men. Her teaching service exceeds half a century.
Born in Beauharnois, Province of Quebec 70 yearas ago, Mrs. Bessette came to New Bedford when a comparatively young woman, and for 42 years had made her home here, practically all of that time being spent in teaching.
Besides her son, Alfred M. Bessette, Mrs. Bessette is survived by a daughter, Rachel, and two other sons, George and Arthur. The funeral will be held Tuesday morning from the Church of the Holy Rosary, and burial will be in Sacred Heart cemetery.
Mrs. Bessette was graduated from then Holy Name of Jesus and Mary convention Montreal in 1866, and soon after that began teaching in that city. In 1877 she came to New Bedford, when the Sacred Heart parish, then in charge of Rev. George Pager, was in its infancy, and opened a school for the children of that parish.
Later she opened schools in three other French parishes and in her experience has taught ove4r 3,000 pupils.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1849 - 