Terry Lynn Bessette of Eureka passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Dec, 31st, 2017. She was 61. She was born on Dec. 23rd, 1956 in Eureka. In 1978 she married Joe Bessette and together they had two children, Joey and Jennifer. She excelled at being a mother, loving wife, homemaker and “Nana” to her children, grandchildren and anyone passing through the Bessette home. She was a caring, loving soul and will be greatly missed.

Terry was a strong-willed, vocal woman and enjoyed expressing her feelings on Lost Coast Outpost and commenting on the news from around the community. She loved her animals almost as much as she loved the people in her life, and she leaves behind her beloved dogs Bucky and Katy Bell as well as Cricket, Rico, Jackie and the birds. Terry was a diehard Raiders, A’s and Dale Earnhardt Jr fan. Terry worked at multiple places in Humboldt County, including Ray’s Sentry in Valley West and more notably working the morning shift at Fifth Street Shell for several years.

Terry is survived by her mother, Donna Van Orden “Mimi”; husband, Joe; son Joey Bessette (Kella) and daughter Jennifer McCormick (Patrick); grandchildren Lilly Bessette and Ryan McCormick. Joe’s family includes Michelle Van Winkle (Ray) and her children Donny (Gina and their two boys), Sarah (Pete and their son), Chris Bessette (Karen and their boys) and Kathy Bessette (late husband Willy and their children).

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Myra and Angelo Rizzi.

Not forgotten is her “extended” family of Sarah Scott, Isaac Scott, Carol McCovey, Rob Moore, his wife Jenn and two daughters, Casey Wood wife Natasha and their two children, Toni Baya (husband Kevan) and their daughter, Bob Pfannenstiel, wife Debbie and daughter Katrina, Nick Vulich (girlfriend Kara and daughter Ava), Crystal Perez, Steve Valentine, his wife Nicki and their children.

The void left by Terry’s passing will not soon be filled as the space is far too large. There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, January 6th at 2681 Goble Lane in Ferndale from 1 to 3 p.m. Memorial donations may be made in Terry’s name to the Sequoia Humane Society.

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The obituary above was submitted by Terry Bessette’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.