(Bessie) Elizabeth Louise Bass

Mrs. E. L. (Bessie) Bass 93, of North Head, Grand Manan passed away peacefully at the Grand Manan Hospital on Thursday February 13th, 2014. Bessie was born in Fredericton the daughter of the late William and Hallie Mayo.  She grew up in Saint. John West and Renforth with seven siblings and graduated from Saint John High School in 1937. Following graduation she attended Normal School and taught school for five years in rural New Brunswick, before joining the WRENS (Women’s  Royal Canadian Naval Service ) in 1943. Following her service as a "WREN " , Bessie used her DVA allowances to enroll as a nursing student and graduated from the Saint John General Hospital of Nursing in 1950. In 1951 she relocated to Grand Manan to take up Nursing duties and in 1953 took a post graduate course in Obstetrics at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal. In 1954 she returned to Grand Manan and married George Bass. In 1973 she became  Director of Nursing for Grand Manan and in 1975 took on the additional position as hospital administrator. She functioned in both roles until her retirement in 1985. Many people on the Island have good memories of their experiences with Bessie’s nursing abilities. She was there when they were born, tended them when they were ill and supported them and their families in death for thirty years. After her retirement she remained active in the community, her church where she was organist and a member of the Ladies Guild, and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #44. In May 2009 the Grand Manan Rotary Club named her a PAUL HARRIS FELLOW as she was truly an example of "Service Above Self". Bessie was predeceased by her husband George in 2002. She is survived by her daughter Hallie Bass, Grand Manan, one son Michael (Vanessa) Bass of Sackville, N.B.,one brother Gerald Mayo of Gagetown, three Grandchildren, and four Great Grand Children. She was predeceased by one sister Joyce, and five brothers Mark, John, Bernard, Medley and Brian.

Visitation will be held at Ells Funeral Home on Sunday, 2 to 4 PM, and 7 to 9 PM. The funeral service will be held on Monday, February 17th, at 1 PM  from the Church of the Ascension with Rev. Dana Dean officiating, interment to follow in the family plot North Head Cemetery. Following the interment a reception will be held in the Covert Hall.  Memorial donations to the Church of the Ascension, The Grand Manan Hospital Foundation, or to the Grand Manan Animal Rescue League would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Ells Funeral Home Inc., 1199 Route 776, Grand Manan, NB E5G 1G2. Condolences, messages of sympathy also may be sent to www.ells.ca or (506) 662-3116