Hilda Blanche Bezanson-Ivers, 99. With hearts full of thankfulness for our long living, hardworking, kind, caring and loving mother, we, her family, sadly announce her peaceful passing on Monday, January 9, 2012 in the Valley Regional Hospital. She had been lovingly tended at home by her son, Kenneth Bezanson, and her daughter, Betty Weir. Hilda was born, October 29, 1912, in Aaldersville, Lunenburg County, to the late Elijah (84) and Lottie (Leopold) Bezanson (94). She moved to Port Williams at age seventeen where she met and married her cousin, Charles Avery Bezanson. Together they raised six children on the family farm. Mother worked hard on the farm, at the local "plant" and in various households within the community, and instilled in us a strong work ethic and religious dedication. Being widowed at the young age of forty-nine years, for the next 29 years she continued to support and encourage her children's diverse and individual journeys through life. During this time, she also faithfully attended to the needs of her sisters-in-law in their later years. At the age of seventy-eight, Mother wed a fine American gentleman, Barry Ivers, in the Port Williams United Baptist Church. With our blessings, this loving couple enjoyed ten years of great happiness. They travelled extensively throughout the United States while Barry competed in "sprinting races" and was later inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame. They spent the winter months at the home of daughter, Vivian, and son-in-law, Gilbert Schofield, in Naples, Florida, and at the Ivers home in Brewer, Maine, while making trips back and forth to Nova Scotia. For many years, Mother was active in the Port Williams community: The Loyal Workers, the Seniors’ Group, and was the oldest member of the Port Williams United Baptist Church. At the time of her passing, she was the longest resident of Port Williams (82 years), and was proud to be able to live at home. Mother was a survivor and conquered breast cancer, a heart condition, abdominal surgery and, at the age of eighty-nine, a broken hip. Her determination and her dedication to family, church and community have been an inspiration to all of us, and her loss will be felt by many. Mother will be sadly missed by her six children: Reta Pick, Coldbrook; Carl (Juanita) Bezanson, Port Williams; Betty Weir, New Minas; Vivian (Gilbert) Schofield, Ocala, Florida; Charles (Marilyn) Bezanson, Lockhartville; and, especially, her son, Kenneth Bezanson, Port Williams. Also missing her are: her special grandson, Greg (Beverly) Pick; her special granddaughter, Shelley (Dean) Corkum; and her childhood friend, Evelyn Keddy (102) of Aaldersville. She was proud of her twelve grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. As well as being predeceased by her first husband, Charles Avery Bezanson (d. 1961) and her second husband, Barry Ivers (d. 1999), Mother was also predeceased by her brothers, Edgar (97), Percy (98), Basil (80) and Gordon (42) Bezanson; and sisters, Grace Russell (91) and Bertha Reeves (84). She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Visitation for Mother took place on Friday, January 13, from 7-9 pm at the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville, and on Saturday, January 14, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Bezanson Farmstead, Main Street, Port Williams. A service of "Thankfulness & Farewell" was held in Port Williams United Baptist Church, on Saturday, January 14, at 2:00 pm, followed by a reception at the Bezanson Farmstead. Reverend David Ogilvie and Reverend Elizabeth Johnson, in their own dignified and compassionate manner, officiated. Interment took place in Jaw Bone Corner Cemetery, Canard. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Port Williams United Baptist Church Memorial Fund. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville. On-line inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.