Person Page - 1125

CORINTH - Dorothy Florence (Bezanson) Burleigh went home to her Lord and Savior, Aug. 31, 2002. She was born April 8, 1922, in Hartford, Conn., the daughter of Grace (Cross) and Ralph Bezanson.

She graduated in 1940 from Bristol High School, Bristol, Conn., and was a graduate of Julius Hart Conservatory of Music in Hartford, Conn. She received a full scholarship to New York's Juilliard School of Music and became an accomplished operatic soprano. Mother married my father, Thomas Popham and moved to Charleston. She was very active with her musical gift and participated in many theatrical productions during the early 1950s, as well as organizing and screening contestants for Bangor Talent Shows. You would also find her singing for special occasions to the accompaniment of Norman Lambert. She was a soloist and former member of The Silver Leaf Chapter of O.E.S; a member of the Corinth United Methodist Church and for many years directed the church adult and youth choirs.

A business woman at best, she joined C. Everett Page, a local Bangor businessman, who started a teacher's employment agency. Mother lobbied in Augusta to allow employment agencies in Maine to represent all aspects of employment, and charge fees for their services, thus resulting in Page Employment Agency. Sunset Industries, a fabric weaving company, employing only the elderly for the purpose of therapy, was established under my Mother's management. Jointly with Mr. Page, they started the Bangor Letter Shop, a mail advertising and off-set printing business. She purchased the Bangor Letter Shop from Mr. Page and became the first independent business woman in the Bangor area representing this type of profession.

She sold the Bangor Letter Shop in 1964 and Mom and I moved to California. She accepted a position as administrative assistant for Geo-Data, a Nevada geological mining company based in California and she worked as a copy editor and a computer instructor for Per-Tech, a division of Volkswagen. After the untimely death of her second husband, William Burleigh, she returned to Maine and did volunteer librarian work at the local middle school. For many years she was the volunteer secretary at the Corinth United Methodist Church and also enjoyed cooking at the church for the "Meals for Friends" program. My Mother fell victim to cardiovascular disease 27 years ago. Her love of life and people was so strong she never complained and always lived by positive thinking with a laugh and smile.

Mother is survived by her best friend and only child, myself, Wendy Popham Valenzuela of Corinth. Grandma Dode will be missed by her three grandsons and their friends, Michael Valenzuela of California, Seth Strout and Tristan Strout of Corinth; a sister, Beverly Ingraham of Connecticut; an aunt, Beatrice Fletcher of Connecticut; a cousin, Susan Floridio of Connecticut; a cousin, Clayton Potts and his wife, Ida of New York; brother-in-law, Glenn Burleigh of Stetson; brother-in-law, Clarence Burleigh and his wife, Marie of Brewer; plus several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her loving husband, William Burleigh; and her brother, Richard Bezanson. She will be remembered with love by her many close friends and I wish to thank all of you for your friendship and support during our very difficult time of sickness and loss.

I would like to express my appreciation to all of the caregivers at EMMC and I sincerely thank the following EMMC incare physicians for their dedication, personal contributions and their love for my mother as their patient and friend; Dr. Nora Kirschner, Dr. Tu Nguyen, and Dr. Mailan Ferencei. I have great respect and admiration for these members of our medical community. i

In memory of my Mother, a music scholarship will be given to a graduating student from Central High School, who will be furthering his or her education in a music career.

My Mother leaves me with many gifts and I shall pass these gifts of love and laughter on to my children and friends. She lived her life by 1 Corinthians 13. "And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is Love." Thank you for being my Mom. Lovingly your daughter, Wendy.³

Beverly (Bezanson) Ingraham, 79, of Coventry, beloved wife of David Ingraham passed at her home with her loving family by her side.

Beverly was born March 10, 1928 in Bristol, daughter of the late Jess and Grace (Cross) Bezanson. Beverly was an accomplished artist and sculptress throughout the New England and New York area. Beverly along with her son, Bruce were involved with the antique business for 25 years. She was always a familiar face at the Brimfield Antique Show. Beverly enjoyed gardening, painting, spending quality time with her grandchildren, and traveling throughout the Northeast with her husband. Her spare time consisted of community service, cub scouts, girl scouts and the Heart Foundation in Vernon.

Besides David Ingraham, her husband and best friend of 53 years, she is survived by a daughter, Beth Alexandra-Cross Ingraham of Nairobi, Kenya; three sons, Bruce and his wife, Theresa Ingraham of Coventry, Brad and his wife, Danielle Ingraham of Dennis Port, MA, an David Ingraham Jr. of Manchester; three grandchildren, Gretta Grace, Amelia Leigh and Alexander David and other relatives and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, October 12, 7 p.m. at the Coventry Funeral Home, 2665 Boston Tpke, Rte. 44, Coventry with the Rev. Dr. Bruce Johnson officiating. Burial will be private. Calling hours will be held Thursday, October 12 from 4- 7 p.m. JUST PRIOR TO SERVICE. The Ingraham family would like to thank the Visiting Nurses Association of Vernon.³

Mildred (Bezanson) Dragon, 93, widow of Loren S. Dragon, Sr., passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday (February 24, 2016) at The Alzheimer’s Resource Center of Connecticut.

Mildred (also known to friends and family as “Tootsie”) was born in Bristol on April 27, 1922 to the late Martha (Busse) and Raymond Bezanson. She was a communicant member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Her most important role was being a loving and compassionate Mom and Grandmother. She lived in Bristol until 1975 when she moved to South Alburg, VT, where she and her husband operated a summer restaurant (Kathy’s Kitchen) for many years. She enjoyed playing Bingo, her trips to the casino, and spending time at the beach.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law: Loren and Stella Dragon of Southington; six daughters and sons-in-law: Donna and Donald Audet, Nan and Ed Grosky, and Nina and Bill Kelley, all of Florida, Dale and Wayne Goodrich of North Hero, VT, Cathy and Sal Ruscitti of Terryville, and Holly and Barry Simard of Bristol, with whom she resided from 2001 to 2010, when she entered The Pines at Bristol. In July 2015 she moved to the Alzheimer’s Resource Center of Connecticut. She is also survived by a brother and sister-in-law: Donald and Barbara Bezanson of Waterbury; a sister: Deborah Ann (Bezanson) Spagnoletti of Houston, TX; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She was a loving “Aunt Tootsie” to numerous nieces and nephews.

Mildred was predeceased by four grandchildren: Barry, Jimmy, and Kristie Dragon and Shannon Lynn Gilbert.

The family wishes to thank the staff at both The Pines at Bristol and The Alzheimer’s Resource Center of Connecticut for their compassion and care to our Mom. Funeral services will be held Saturday (February 27, 2016) at 11 AM at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 154 Meadow Street, Bristol. Burial will follow in Peacedale Cemetery, Bristol. Relatives and friends may call at Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Ave., Bristol on Saturday morning between 9 and 10:30 AM.⁴