Gillian Bessom

Gillian Alexis Bessom, age 22, of Severance Hill Road, passed away unexpectedly November 17, 2016, at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA, with her devoted family beside her, following an acute illness, despite exhaustive efforts to keep her here with us.

Gillian was born at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA, on October 13, 1994, daughter to Richard James, Jr. and Penny Jean (Olcott) Bessom. She lived her entire life here on her family’s dairy farm, and attended St. Johnsbury schools. Gillian was born with multiple congenital anomalies, and in her short life underwent several major surgeries. But nothing ever held Gilli back, and despite everything that life threw at her, she was joyously happy. Gilli was a social butterfly; she loved just about everybody, would talk to anyone, and was never shy about giving a hug. She was her Mom’s shadow; at home, helping cook and bake, at the barn, helping with chores, listening to music, and out and about running errands to the bank and the grocery store. Gilli loved birthdays and holidays, and she was the life of the party—her presence filled the room! She loved attending events:  concerts (Sheryl Crow and OneRepublic were favorites), comedy shows (she recently got the chance to go up on stage during a performance and hug Larry the Cable Guy and Jeff Foxworthy. Her shouting “Git ‘R Done!” to the entire arena crowd was amazing!), and sporting events (she especially loved attending races at Loudon every year, cheering on her “fool,” Jeff Gordon). Gillian loved food, whether it was going out to eat, hogging the popcorn at the movies, sharing a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Mint Oreo with her Mom after chores, eating chocolate chip cookies dunked in milk with her Dad before bed, or just digging into her endless bag of snacks she carried everywhere. Gilli was happiest at home with her family, watching Family Feud on TV, hanging out with her “B” and Bri’s friends, or just relaxing and visiting with Gram. She loved watching sports with Pop, and cheering for all of her favorite teams, the Jets, Yankees, and the Rangers. And she had to sing along with the Star-Spangled Banner, every game. Gillian loved vacations, usually trips to the ocean at Cape Cod or Maine. And not too long ago, she was so fortunate to have been granted a wish trip through Make-A-Wish to Florida and all the Orlando attractions. She even got to experience riding in a limo and her first airplane flight. Gillian could be stubborn and bossy, could swear like a sailor, and she never forgot anything! She always had beads around her neck or a handful of one dollar bills. And she loved clothes—crazy prints and wild colors—she was always beautifully dressed!

Gillian is survived by her parents: Rick & Penny (391 Severance Hill Road, Concord, VT  05824) and her sister:  Brianna Bessom, her maternal grandparents:  Gary, Sr. & Veronica Olcott, all of East St. Johnsbury, paternal grandfather:  Richard Bessom, Sr. of Orleans, MA, great-grandparents:  Glenn, Sr. & Jean Olcott of Lyndonville, uncles:  Gary Olcott, Jr of East St. Johnsbury and James Gifford of MA, cousins:  Garrett, Adelina, Dario, & Derek Olcott, special friends:  Matthew Smith, Kasey Monfette, and Thyme Farrington, and our pets, who are anxiously searching for her:  dogs, DiMaggio & Calliope, and cats, Emmett, Avis, Anne Frank, Zola, and Butterball.

She was predeceased by her brother:  Richard James Bessom III, her aunt:  Michelle Olcott, and her paternal grandmother:  Karen Gifford.

A gathering of her family and friends to celebrate Gillian’s wonderful life will be held at 3pm on December 3, 2016, at the Lyndon Outing Club, in Lyndonville, with some of her favorite things:  music, pizza, ice cream, chips, soda, and a fireworks show. Please come and celebrate Gilli!

Gilli loved flowers, but if you would prefer to help with funeral costs, donations can be made to a fund set up through Community National Bank (PO Box 131, 467 Broad Street, Lyndonville, VT  05851), memo:  Gillian Bessom Family.

“Our precious, darling Gilli has left us. Gone, that contagious laughter, her smile that lit up the world, her endless spirit and energy, those hugs that lasted forever and you never wanted to end. She filled our lives with goodness, and light, and laughter, and love, and nothing can ever be the same.”

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.saylesfh.com.