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Marion Foster (Dimond)
Mother of our classmate Olivia Pollard Parrish:
Bessie Lee Rocha, 97, born January 28, 1927 in Cairo, Illinois to Paul R. Herren and Jeanie S. (Wood) Herren stepped over to her heavenly home on February 13, 2024, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
At a young age her family moved from Cairo, Illinois to Alton, Illinois. Bessie attended Alton Senior High School and enjoyed marching with the high school band as one of the baton twirlers and majorettes. After high school she began a long career with The Bell Telephone Company, in Alton. She was married to Orville Pollard from 1945-1963. The couple had three children, all girls!
Bessie relocated to Hayward, California in 1966 and retired from the Pacific Bell Telephone Company around 1982. She enjoyed her retirement and learned to play golf. She was active with the Telephone Pioneers, a non-profit charitable organization, and for many years contributing in community service activities. She was a local chapter president and a regional president. She worked on projects such as Beep Baseball for the Blind, making curtains for an orphanage and wiring giant St Bernard stuffed animals with 2-way radios to communicate with non-verbal children who had experienced trauma. This is where she shined, community projects and making friendships. She was a member of the Greater Modesto Lions Club (1st Vice President) where she chaired the Lions Club Speech contest. Eden Express (Board of Directors), Hayward, California.
Bessie participated as a “flower” in a roller skating performance of The Nutcracker along with her younger daughter, Mercedes, who played a lollipop in the performance. She was also very supportive of Mercedes’ Campfire Girls and Jobs Daughters activities.
While living in California, she loved trips to Disneyland. Bessie was a first generation American from her Scottish descendants on her mother’s side of the family (Clan of MacFarlane).
After a few years into retirement, Bessie, again relocated for one last time to Fort Wayne, Indiana to be near her eldest daughter, Olivia and family. She lived independently for many years. As the need for further living assistance became apparent, she moved in with Olivia and Dale. They graciously and lovely opened their home and cared for Bessie throughout her remaining years.
She attended Blackhawk Ministries Christian Church in Fort Wayne. At age 90 Bessie gave her heart to Jesus and was baptized. This 90 year old woman, (Miss Bess is what he called her) so impacted a young man watching her baptism, that he too gave his heart to Jesus and wanted to be baptized. She loved Fort Wayne, her family and developed many close friendships.
Bessie was predeceased in death by her parents, one brother and two sisters. Bessie is survived by her children, Olivia (Dale) Parrish; Deborah Martin; Mercedes Geraldo and 8 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.
There are no services schedule at this time.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/fort-wayne-in/bessie-rocha-11669780?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=share_obit&utm_content=obituary&fbclid=IwAR3pGkSNwQhnDvio9Rz-5tDOPaDDjlmH2thXlO4OYojpbsWmxsFFsQPeYDs
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