Esther M. (McClelland) Bess

     Esther M. Bess, age 95 of Norwalk, died peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on December 9, 2016.  She was the wife of the late Ralph W. Bess.  Esther was born in Toledo, Ohio on October 18, 1921, the daughter of the late Mont W. and Edna Huston McClelland and has lived locally for over 50 years.  She was also predeceased by her son Raymond M. Bess and her sister Janet McClelland. She received a BA from Oberlin College.  Esther was a retired registered nurse having worked at the Women’s Hospital in New York City and then locally at the office of doctors A.V. Burke and A.C. Dearani.  She was a longtime member and very involved with the First Congregational Church on the Green, the Norwalk Senior Center and Norwalk-Wilton AARP.  Esther enjoyed crafts, with some of her creations distributed through Meals on Wheels and she was an avid bird watcher.  She loved her family dearly and will be missed by all.
     Survivors include two sons, Andrew H. Bess and his wife Cheryl of Bridgeport and John W. Bess and his wife Cynthia of Norwalk, her grandchildren Kara McCaleb and MacKenzie Bess and her cousin Gordon Bess. 
    A special thanks to Cindy and Pat, her caregivers and companions, for all their loving help.
         A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church on the Green, 3 Lewis St., Norwalk on Thursday December 29, 2016 at 11AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may made to the American Lung Assoc., 45 Ash St., E. Hartford, CT, 06108 or to Norwalk Community College, 188 Richards Ave., Norwalk, 06850.

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