Barbara Bassett Exeter, New Hampshire Obituary

Barbara Bassett

Fremont Barbara (Beyrent) Bassett, 87, passed away January 14, 2017 at home in the comfort of her own bed and surrounded by her family after a short battle with cancer. Barbara was born in Steelton, PA on July 14, 1929. She is predeceased by her parents, Dr. J. Reese and Grace (Enterline) Beyrent. Barbara graduated from Steelton High School class valedictorian with the class of 1947. She then went on to Cornell University where she majored in early childhood development and was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. Barbara graduated from Cornell University summa cum laude. While attending Cornell, Barbara met fellow student George H. Bassett of Fremont NH. Upon graduation, in 1951, they were married and made their permanent home on the Bassett family farm in Fremont. Here they lived and raised a family consisting of three daughters and one son. In 1968, Barbara began her teaching career at the Ellis School in Fremont. There she taught 3rd grade to multiple generations until she retired in 1995. Barbara made many friends at Ellis School, both teachers and parents, and loved that her previous students would reach out to her on Facebook long after she retired. Barbara was an avid reader and would always have a book or two in progress on any given day. Her love for reading is what prompted her to take the position as the Fremont Librarian in 1984, a position she held until 2011. For many years, the library was in an old one room school house at the corner of Beede Rd. and Main St. and it was not even equipped with running water. Barbara was instrumental in the planning and design of the new Fremont Public Library and she used a large portion of her own funds to completely automate the library system. Her strong passion for reading was a gift that she passed on to her children and grandchildren. Barbara's sense of community also led her to accept the position as Fremont Town Treasurer. Barbara dutifully held this position for more than 20 years during which time she purchased her first Apple 2-C computer and worked tirelessly to learn about the new technology and to finally put all of the town records onto the first accounting spread sheets. She was a woman of many talents. From knitting beautiful sweaters to fine embroidery work to making incredibly gorgeous hooked rugs, she always had a project in the works. She was also an accomplished classical pianist and loved listening to a variety of composers while working on her projects. However, her greatest talent was the unconditional love and support she provided for her family. She will long be remembered as a loving mother, best friend and our Mimi. Her family includes her son Reese and his wife Beth of Fremont. She resided for 30 years with Reese, Beth and their three children, Graham, Haley and Reese. Her daughters and grandchildren, who were always close by include Ann Bassett Gulla of East Walpole, MA and her son Ryan; daughter Joan Bassett Dow of Milton, MA and her daughter Cameron; daughter Connie Bassett Mercier of Auburn, NH and her children Joel and Quinn. Barbara is also survived by her sister-in-law, Betty Stanley, of Fremont and sister-in-law, Janice Beyrent, of Camp Hill, PA as well as many nieces and nephews. Barbara was predeceased by her husband George and her brother John (Jack) Beyrent of Camp Hill, PA. Services: A private family graveside service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Barbara's name to the Fremont Library Association, 7 Jackie Bernier Drive, Fremont, NH 03044 Funeral Home: Brewitt Funeral Home - Exeter 14 Pine Street Exeter, NH US 03833
July 14, 1929 - January 14, 201707/14/192901/14/2017
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Obituary

Fremont Barbara (Beyrent) Bassett, 87, passed away January 14, 2017 at home in the comfort of her own bed and surrounded by her family after a short battle with cancer. Barbara was born in Steelton, PA on July 14, 1929. She is predeceased by her parents, Dr. J. Reese and Grace (Enterline) Beyrent. Barbara graduated from Steelton High School class valedictorian with the class of 1947. She then went on to Cornell University where she majored in early childhood development and was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. Barbara graduated from Cornell University summa cum laude. While attending Cornell, Barbara met fellow student George H. Bassett of Fremont NH. Upon graduation, in 1951, they were married and made their permanent home on the Bassett family farm in Fremont. Here they lived and raised a family consisting of three daughters and one son. In 1968, Barbara began her teaching career at the Ellis School in Fremont. There she taught 3rd grade to multiple generations until she retired in 1995. Barbara made many friends at Ellis School, both teachers and parents, and loved that her previous students would reach out to her on Facebook long after she retired. Barbara was an avid reader and would always have a book or two in progress on any given day. Her love for reading is what prompted her to take the position as the Fremont Librarian in 1984, a position she held until 2011. For many years, the library was in an old one room school house at the corner of Beede Rd. and Main St. and it was not even equipped with running water. Barbara was instrumental in the planning and design of the new Fremont Public Library and she used a large portion of her own funds to completely automate the library system. Her strong passion for reading was a gift that she passed on to her children and grandchildren. Barbara's sense of community also led her to accept the position as Fremont Town Treasurer. Barbara dutifully held this position for more than 20 years during which time she purchased her first Apple 2-C computer and worked tirelessly to learn about the new technology and to finally put all of the town records onto the first accounting spread sheets. She was a woman of many talents. From knitting beautiful sweaters to fine embroidery work to making incredibly gorgeous hooked rugs, she always had a project in the works. She was also an accomplished classical pianist and loved listening to a variety of composers while working on her projects. However, her greatest talent was the unconditional love and support she provided for her family. She will long be remembered as a loving mother, best friend and our Mimi. Her family includes her son Reese and his wife Beth of Fremont. She resided for 30 years with Reese, Beth and their three children, Graham, Haley and Reese. Her daughters and grandchildren, who were always close by include Ann Bassett Gulla of East Walpole, MA and her son Ryan; daughter Joan Bassett Dow of Milton, MA and her daughter Cameron; daughter Connie Bassett Mercier of Auburn, NH and her children Joel and Quinn. Barbara is also survived by her sister-in-law, Betty Stanley, of Fremont and sister-in-law, Janice Beyrent, of Camp Hill, PA as well as many nieces and nephews. Barbara was predeceased by her husband George and her brother John (Jack) Beyrent of Camp Hill, PA. Services: A private family graveside service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Barbara's name to the Fremont Library Association, 7 Jackie Bernier Drive, Fremont, NH 03044 Funeral Home: Brewitt Funeral Home - Exeter 14 Pine Street Exeter, NH US 03833

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