Obituary of Bessie Faye Canterbury

essie Faye Canterbury, a longtime resident of Woburn, passed away on Saturday evening, February 15 after a long illness. She was 82 years of age. Born and raised in West Virginia, she was daughter of the late Onie Kester, and the late Sarah Belle Canterbury. Bessie grew up in the town of Princeton, West Virginia, coming to Massachusetts at the age of 16. Bessie held many jobs throughout her life, early in her career primarily in retail. Prior to her retirement, she worked for Avnet, Inc. in Danvers. In her free time, Bessie enjoyed country music, crocheting and sewing. She is survived by four daughters, Sandra Lyon and her husband Christopher of Raymond, NH, Darlene Butt of Newburyport, Joyce King and her husband Robert of Chelmsford, and Lyn Butt and her long time partner Paul Gillespie of Dracut; and she was preceded in death by one daughter, the late Sherie Butt. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren; Laura Eichler and her husband Ben, Jennifer Nelson and her husband Tom, Sherry King, Lisa Lorraine and her husband Pierre, Sarah Naticchioni and her long time partner James Willhide, Heather O’Neil and her husband Jonathan, Joe Torrice and his long time partner Liz Torres, Andrew Stevens and his wife Damita, Paul Gillespie and his long time partner Courtnee Benner, Daniel Gillespie, Jamie McMinn and her husband Steve, Harry Leach and his wife Marissa, and Eric Leach and his fiance Alisa. She was preceded in death by one grandson, the late Matthew Stevens. She is also survived by 19 great grandchildren. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bessie’s memory may be made to the MSPCA, 350 South Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130. Arrangements by the Graham Funeral Home, Woburn MA