Janice Clare Johnston1,2

F, #24482, b. 11 June 1932, d. 20 September 2015

Family

Bruce Ellsworth Bezanson
Janice Clare (Johnston) Bezanson
     Janice Clare Johnston was born on 11 June 1932 at Johnsbury, Vermont.1,2 She married Bruce Ellsworth Bezanson in 1954.2 Janice Clare Johnston died on 20 September 2015 at Wakefield, New Hampshire, at age 83.1

     Obituary:
Bezanson, Janice "Jan" (Johnston), (83) passed away, peacefully on Sunday September 20, 2015, in the home of her eldest daughter, Lauren Pochelon and husband Kirk, in Wakefield, NH, where she was lovingly cared for during the past five years.

She was born on June 11, 1932 in St. Johnsbury, VT, the second daughter of Herbert and Marion (Blandin) Johnston. Jan graduated from Somerville (MA) High School in 1950 and married her high school sweetheart, “Buzz”, in 1954. Together they raised four outstanding daughters; Lauren, Patti Fielding (Dave), Nancy (Lance Packard) and Sally Mann, who blessed them with eleven grandchildren; Heidi Trapasso Dias (Josh), Nina, Rachelle and Philip Trapasso, Braden Perkins, Jodi Bezanson, Jenny and William Packard, Hannah-Rose Mann, and Christopher and Grace Hoefs and three great-grandchildren, Lola, Dominic and Santino Dias. She also claims Sanami Takahashi from Japan, as her exchange student daughter.

Jan and Buzz lived in Somerville, MA, Washington DC, Lynn MA, Andover MA, Covington LA, Buffalo NY, Boston MA, and Meredith NH. Since 1967, they have maintained a family vacation home, B's Hive, on Little Bear Island, Lake Winnipesaukee, NH. They also spent many winters in South West Florida.

Jan devoted her life to her family and community as an active church member and Girl Scout leader. Her goal in life was to be a good wife, a good mother and grandmother, and a good neighbor, all of which she accomplished with distinction.

At 42 years of age, she decided she wanted a college education. In 1984, at age 52, she graduated from the University of Buffalo (SUNY) earning a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts. For the next 16 years, she was active in several artists’ guilds and organizations. She became a suicide prevention counselor with the Samaritans, Secretary for the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and a member of the Massachusetts Foster Care Review Board.

Jan (and Buzz) enjoyed traveling, music, fine dining and they were avid fishermen.

In addition to her immediate family she leaves behind a sister, Muriel Scott, three nieces and two nephews; Barbara Smith (Ed), Susan Campbell, Carol Ashe (Dave), David Scott (Sherri) and Robert Scott and their families in Englewood, FL and Billerica, MA.1
Last Edited26 Feb 2019

Citations

  1. [S680] Janice Clare (Johnston) Bezanson Death Notice, Mayhew Funeral Home (Meredith, New Hampshire).
  2. [S1] Dorothy Evans, Bezansons from Nova Scotia, 213, 254.

Ralph Harold Bezanson1,2

M, #24494, b. 8 May 1909, d. 1 April 1990
Father*James Harold Bezanson2 b. 27 Jul 1884, d. 9 May 1960
Mother*Bensena Mathilde Johnson2 b. 31 Aug 1879, d. 30 Jul 1962

Family 1

Gladys O. Smith b. c 1901
Children

Family 2

Mary Louise Nickell

Family 3

Sally A. (?) b. 7 Sep 1907, d. 20 May 2000
Relationship4th great-grandson of Jean George Bezanson
Ralph Bezanson circa 1927
     Ralph Harold Bezanson was born on 8 May 1909 at Washington.3,4,5 He married Gladys O. Smith on 30 November 1931 at Hyder, Alaska. He was 22.6 Ralph Harold Bezanson registered for the military service draft on 16 October 1940 while living at Seattle, Washington, and was described as having light brown complexion, brown eyes, brown hair, 5 8, 155 pounds. Person who would know his address was Gladys O. Smith.1 Ralph Harold Bezanson married Mary Louise Nickell on 16 August 1942 at Seattle, Washington. He was 33.7 Ralph Harold Bezanson began military service on 14 August 1943.3 He ended military service on 18 December 1945.3 He married Sally A. (?).8 Ralph Harold Bezanson died on 1 April 1990 at Pacific, Washington, at age 80.9,10

Census Summary

1900
Birth
1909
1910
Census
1910
1920
Census
1920
1930
1940
Census
1940
1950
Census
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
Death
1990

Census, Residence

Census1910Ralph Harold Bezanson appeared on the census of 1910 at Eagle Harbor, Kitsap County, Washington, in the household of James Harold Bezanson and Bensena Mathilde Johnson.5
Census1920Ralph Harold Bezanson appeared on the census of 1920 at 7032 27th Ave NW, Seattle, Washington, in the household of James Harold Bezanson and Bensena Mathilde Johnson.11
Census1940Ralph Harold Bezanson and Gladys O. Smith appeared on the census of 1940 at 833 West 54th Street, Seattle, Washington, with Ralph Harold Bezanson Jr. and Orrin R. Bezanson.12
Census1950Ralph Harold Bezanson and Sally A. (?) appeared on the census of 1950 at 2233 231th St, Torrance, California, with Orrin R. Bezanson, James Harold Bezanson and Bensena Mathilde Johnson.8
Last Edited5 May 2023

Citations

  1. [S879] National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), "U.S. World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947", Ralph Harold Bezanson; Registration Date: 16 October 1940; Registration Place: Washington, USA; Birth Date: 8 May 1909; Birth Place: Seattle, Washington.
  2. [S4] 1920 U.S. Federal Census; Washington, King County, Seattle; Roll: T625_1926; Image: 313; ED: 101; Page: 18A; with age shown as "10."
  3. [S837] National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), "U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File", Ralph Bezanson; Birth: 8 May 1909; Death: 1 April 1990; Enlistment Date 1: 14 August 1943; Release Date 1: 18 December 1945.
  4. [S4] 1920 U.S. Federal Census; Seattle, King, Washington; Roll: T625_1926; Image: 316; ED: 101; Page: 18A; Lines: 24-26; with age shown as "10."
  5. [S4] 1910 U.S. Federal Census; Eagle Harbor, Kitsap, Washington; Roll: T624_1662; Page: 11A; ED: 230; Image: 773.
  6. [S1072] Alaska State Archives, "Alaska, U.S., Vital Records, 1818 -1963", Ralph H Bezanson; Marriage Date: 30 November 1931; Marriage Place: Hyder, Alaska; Spouse: Gladys O Barnes.
  7. [S861] Washington State Archives, "Washington, Marriage Records, 1854-2013", Ralph Harold Bezanson; Marriage Date: 16 August 1942; Marriage Place: Seattle, King, Washington; Spouse: Mary Louise Nickell.
  8. [S4] 1950 U.S. Federal Census; Torrance, Los Angeles, California; Roll: 785; ED: 19-926; Sheet: 3.
  9. [S863] Washington State Department of Health, "Washington, U.S., Death Index, 1940-2017", Ralph H Bezanson; 1 April 1990; Death Place: Pacific, Washington; Certificate Number: 009103.
  10. [S837] National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), "U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File", Ralph Harold Bezanson; Birth Date: 8 May 1909; Death Date: 1 April 1990.
  11. [S4] 1920 U.S. Federal Census; Washington, King County, Seattle; Roll: T625_1926; Image: 313; ED: 101; Page: 18A.
  12. [S4] 1940 U.S. Federal Census; Seattle, King, Washington; Roll: T627_4374; ED: 40-23; Page: 1A; Lines: 15-18.