Bessie M. Folsom, 93, of Thendara, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at the Presbyterian Home in New Hartford.
She was born on March 13, 1918 in Utica, a daughter of the late George and Ruth (Miskimmon) MacDonald. She married George Folsom on August 19, 1940 in Utica, a blessed union of over 50 years. Mr. Folsom died on September 15, 1990.
She was a member of the Niccolls Memorial Presbyterian Church in Old Forge and the Order of the Eastern Star Old Forge Chapter 449.
Bessie was proud to be the first woman ordained as an Elder in the Utica Presbytery and as a volunteer for the American Red Cross Disaster Assistance team. She was also a Girl Scout Leader, a member of AARP and on the board of directors of the Home Aide Service of the Central Adirondacks (HASCA).
She is survived by her children: Barbara Kipp of Dover, NH; Nancy Van Dox of Tamuning, Guam; Linda Folsom of Thendara; and Patricia Sprenger and her husband, James, of Saranac Lake.
She also leaves eight grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, one great great grandson, two nephews and one neice. She was predeceased by two sisters, Ruth Stratton and Dorothy MacDonald, and also a great granddaughter, Kathy Connor.
A Memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 15 at 1 p.m. at the Niccolls Memorial Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Lawrence Bartel officiating.
Interment will be in the North Gage Cemetery at the convenience of the family. There are no public calling hours. The family will receive visitors at the conclusion of the service.
Arrangements are with the Dimbleby, Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral Home at 128 Fern Ave. in Old Forge. For online expressions of sympathy please go to: www.dfwefh.com
