Northborough – Bessie M. McMenemy passed away peacefully on Monday evening, December 12, 2022, at the age of 96 years. Bessie was born in Boston and raised in Roxbury, the daughter of Leland B. and Violet K. (Arnold) Buchanan.
For several years Bessie operated the Town Line Pet Shop in Hudson. During this time Bessie continued her education at Quinsigamond Community College where she earned her degree in Accounting.
A loving mother and devoted grandmother, Bessie was always there, the one to go to, for her family and extended family members. They knew they could count on her for her unconditional love, acceptance and solid advice. She in turn enjoyed following their many activities and vacationing with them on Sebago Lake in Maine. She found pleasure in crafting and painting, animals – most especially dogs, and following the Patriots and Red Sox. Christmas Eve was one of Bessie’s favorite times as her large family would gather and create memories together.
Bessie is survived by her nine children, Robert McMenemy and his wife Janice of Pine, AZ, Eileen DeLap and her husband Norman of Webster, MA, Ronald McMenemy of Northborough, MA, David McMenemy and his wife Roseann of Sebago, ME, Gail Wright and her husband Edward of Northborough, MA, Teresa Hunt and her husband David of Northborough, MA, Deborah Burke and her husband Bernard of Hopkinton, MA, Donna Merullo and her husband John of Shrewsbury, MA and Mark McMenemy and his wife Ailsa of Northborough, MA.
Also surviving Bessie are her twenty-three grandchildren: Scott McMenemy, Jeffrey McMenemy (Peggy), Kelly McMenemy (Aimee), Shane McMenemy (Emily), David McMenemy (Stephanie), Nicholas McMenemy (Franziska), Ronald McMenemy (Luisa), Brian McMenemy (Melissa) and Adam McMenemy; Sharon Yager (Will), Dawn Fenuccio (Ray), Jennie Chalkley (Scott), Stacy Purchase, Daniel Wright (Erin), Benjamin Wright (Heather), Kathryn Baker (Kevin), Nathan Hunt (Sarah Spencer), Marianne Burke, Bernard Burke, Andrew Burke, Peter Burke (Shauna), Devin Merullo and Fiona Merullo; thirty-five great-grandchildren: Amanda, Emily, Robert, Connor, Leona, Layla, Jacob, Caleb, Dylan, Sophia, Lexie, Dorian, Rachel, Katia, Lena, Chloe, Zoey, Kristina (Carlos), Liam, Riley (Ashley), Olya, Angelina, Olivia, Shane, Sydney, Matthew, Hayley, Abigail, Evelyn, Ryan, Drew, Harper, Russell, Dennis Parker and four great-great grandchildren Danil, Lera, Ryker and Mariya. In addition, she leaves three nieces, a nephew and her sister-in-law Diane Buchanan.
Bessie was preceded in death by her first husband Frederick Franklin, her second husband Robert McMenemy, Sr, three great-grandchildren Samantha, Joshua and Alexander, her brother Murray “Skip” Buchanan, a daughter-in-law, Grayce McMenemy and her granddaughter’s husband Michael Purchase.
A calling hour will be held between 9:30 – 10:30AM on Monday, December 19 at Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11AM in Saint Rose of Lima Parish, 244 W. Main Street, Northborough. Bessie will be laid to rest in Howard Street Cemetery, Northborough.
Bessie’s family would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to the caring staff of the Coleman House and of JHC Hospice for the support and care shown to Bessie during her final days.
To leave an online condolence please visit www.HaysFuneralHome.com.
