1941 - 2015
HARTWICK - Bessie Belinda Preston, 73, of Hartwick, passed away peacefully Wednesday afternoon, May 13, 2015, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown with her loving family at her side.
She was born July 28, 1941, at home in Oneonta, a daughter of Vincent and Catherine (Empie) Gill. Raised in Hartwick, she graduated from Cooperstown High School with the Class of 1959.
On December 8, 1959, Bessie married Leon A. Preston in a ceremony at the First Baptist Church of Hartwick.
For 32 years, Bessie was employed at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, and for the last twelve of those years served as an admitting clerk.
An active and devoted member of her community, Bessie was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Hartwick Fire Department Company #1. She also never missed a chance to support those in need by attending many fund raisers and Chinese auctions. Her enjoyment of playing Bingo also provided her with many hours of enjoyment and camaraderie with fellow Bingo players, and she frequently attended games in Oneonta, Laurens and Sidney.
She will be greatly missed by her loving family and friends.
Bessie is survived by her husband of 55 years, Lee Preston of Hartwick; their three children, Jeff Preston and his wife, Meg Brayden Preston, Janet L. Preston (Tim McLean) and Pamela K. Preston, all of Hartwick; a daughter-in-law, Nancy Preston of Unadilla; three grandchildren, Tyler and Kate Preston and Amy Preston (Josh Long); two great grandsons, Dante Cancho and Jameson Long; one sister, Darlene Lance and her husband, John, of Oneonta; a brother-in-law, Kevin Preston and his wife Ella of Middlefield, and several nieces and nephews.
Bessie had many special friends, including June and Richie Snyder, Janice Coulter, Suzanne Schoonover and Debbie Clegg.
She was predeceased by her son, Keith A. Preston, who died July 21, 2009, her parents and her brother, Harold Gill.
A Memorial Service will be offered at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, Cooperstown, with the Rev. Elsie Armstrong Rhodes, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, officiating. Following the service, there will be an informal get together to honor Bessie, the location of which will be announced.
Following the death of her son, Keith, a fund was established in his memory to assist those who wanted to experience Keith's love of sports and the outdoors by attending DEC and sports camps. For those who wish to make a gift in memory of Bessie, her family suggests that contributions be made to the Benefit of Bessie and Keith Preston and sent to the Leatherstocking Regional Credit Union, 24 Glen Avenue, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.
