1932 – 2014

BUCKFIELD — Norma Bessey Colby passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at her home, “The Balky Bess Ranch” in Buckfield, on Wednesday, Dec. 24.

She was born in Gardiner on March 7, 1932, the daughter of the late Marion (Waterman) Bessey and Gerald Heald Bessey. She graduated from Buckfield High School in 1950 and the University of Maine in 1954.

Norma married Earle Colby on Sept. 2, 1955. They divorced in 1977.

She worked at the Southern California Gas Co. in Hollywood, Calif., from 1954 to 1955. She then worked at the most important job of her career, raising her two daughters. She was a teacher at Buckfield High School from 1962 to 1974. In 1977 she joined her parents at the Bessey Insurance Agency, taking over completely in the fall of 1978. In 1997 she semi-retired, spending time in Brandon, Fla., during the winter months and continuing to work part-time in the agency the rest of the year.

Norma was a member of the Congregational Church of East Sumner and had served as a Trustee for nine years. She was an accomplished trumpet player, enjoyed dancing and golf and was a member of the Paris Hill Country Club.

Norma is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Kim and Tony Lord and Shelley and Mark Jamison all of Buckfield; five grandchildren and spouses, Earle and Stephanie Varney, Sherman and Donna Varney all of Turner, Melanie Lord of Portland, Maranda and Howard Coven of San Diego, Calif., and Richard and Carrie Jamison of Ellsworth; great-grandchildren, Colby, Brooke, Averi and Hayden Varney, Michaela and Joshua Therrien, and Hannah and Wilbur Jamison; special nephew and niece, Greg Bessey and Shanna Bruno; sister-in-law, Eleanor Austin; and brother-in-law, Morris Tucker.

Norma was predeceased by her brother, Sidney Bessey and his wife, Dorothy; two sisters-in-law, Betty Tucker and Carlene Colby; grandson, Harley Jamison; and former husband, Earle Colby.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Medd and his office and the Beacon Hospice, especially Jessica.