Montpelier, VT Evelyn (Eastman) Bessette died peacefully with her family by her side on January 6, 2009 at Berlin Health & Rehab. Born in Waterbury to Harold & Myrtie (Tatro) Eastman on March 3, 1925 she grew up in Moretown at the Eastern Magnesia Talc Mine, attended Rockbridge one-room schoolhouse and graduated from Waterbury High School in 1943. While attending nursing school at Barre City Hospital she married Edward Bessette on February 16, 1945. They lived most of their married life on Charles Street in Montpelier where Evelyn ran a day-care from 1957 – 1987. She is survived by their six children: Doug & his wife Terry of Berlin; Sandy Farnham & her husband Allan of Plainfield; Terry & his wife Jean of Albuquerque NM; Sherrie Brewster of East Montpelier; Bonnie and her husband Steve Burkholder of St. John, USVI; and Penny and her husband Francis Hannigan of Montpelier. 15 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by her husband, their first grandchild Michael Edward Bessette and her sister Marguerite Griffith. Evelyn was a girl scout leader, city lister, long-time member of Central Vermont Boating Club, active in the Rockbridge School reunions and did a history of the talc mines with photos and interviews that she donated to local libraries. Her family was her life and they enjoyed picnics, camping trips, boating and lots of family get-togethers. Services will be held in the spring along with her internment in Holy Cross Cemetery in Duxbury. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Project Independence, 420 Washington Street, Barre, VT 05641or Alzheimer's Association- Vermont Chapter 172 N. Main Street Barre, VT 05641.