Bessie R. (Philbrick) Pedersen Heald of Rockport, a former Greater Lowell resident who was active in civic organizations, died Monday, June 18, 2007 at Beverly Hospital in Beverly, two days before her 98th birthday. She was the wife of the late Oscar E. Pedersen and the late Elmer L. Heald.
She was born in New Boston, NH, a daughter of the late Fred D. and Elizabeth (Frost) Philbrick. She was educated in the Billerica and Carlisle school systems and graduated from Concord High School in 1927.
Mrs. Heald worked as a food service director at many institutions and most recently at the Rivercrest Deaconess Nursing Home in Concord until her retirement in 1995 at the age of 86. After her retirement she moved to Littleton where she resided with her daughter and family, and later moved to Rockport.
She was a member of the Rebekahs, a charter member and past master of the Carlisle Grange, and served as royal matron of the Grand Order of the Amaranth in 1963, 1965, 1985, and 1986. She was also grand past royal matron of the Supreme Council, Order of the Amaranth.
Mrs. Heald loved spending time with her extended family and enjoyed antiquing, bingo, fishing, camping, traveling, and attending countless horse shows.
She is survived by a son, Kenneth M. Pedersen of Bedford; three daughters and their spouses, Janis and Charles Jenkins, with whom she made her home in Rockport, Carol and John Houghton and Pauline and Clark Garon, all of Westford; and a sister and brother-in-law, Libby and Sam Parisi of Florida. She also leaves numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
She was also the mother of the late William E. Pedersen and Jane Pedersen.
Service Details
Funeral service Friday, June 22 at 10 a.m.
in the Badger Funeral Home, 347 King Street, Littleton, MA.
Burial in Green Cemetery in Carlisle, MA.
Calling hours at the Badger Funeral Home
from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm on Thursday, June 21.