Mary R. Besecker

Mary Catherine Reames Besecker

“Mom B”

Mary, lovingly known as “Mom B,” passed away Tuesday, December 25, 2018, while being cared for by Coastal Hospice At The Lake, Salisbury, Maryland. Surrounded by family, Mom B’s last words—“I love all of you”—reflected the way she lived her life. Born June 1, 1923, in Paris, Arkansas, she came to Chincoteague Island around 1958 with husband, Charles, and two sons, Jerry and Charles.

Having fulfilled many roles throughout her lifetime—farmhand as young girl, seamstress, “The Pine Knot” owner, hostess for an island restaurant, postal worker—the role she’ll forever be most treasured for is friend. Whether raising two exceptional sons, preparing Thanksgiving dinner, lessoning someone’s burden, or sharing another’s pain during their loss, loved ones recount her unyielding compassion, love, care, loyalty, patriotism, and, above all else, devotion to family. Truly an exceptional lady, she made everyone around her feel special—each of us experienced a “once in a lifetime” love that told us we were safe and secure with her, no matter the circumstance. When we needed a hand, hers was the first to lift us up. When we needed a hug, she willingly gave several. When we needed a reminder to remain focused on our life-goals, she gently guided us onto our original path. And, yes, when we needed a kick in the pants, we all knew who to go to. We went to Mom B because we knew we would walk away from the encounter as better people, as more whole and more honorable human beings. You see, we didn’t choose her—she chose each and every one of us, related or not, to be her family.

Through these encounters Mom B taught us the values that made America the greatest nation on Earth: She taught us those values through her rock-steady character, demonstrating by example with each breath she took, every word she uttered, every bite we chewed, and each sip we swallowed, what it meant to be human. Through her life she demonstrated how to grow and how to love, how to be a better person tomorrow than we were today. Always the lady, forever the friend: Thank-you, Mom B, for making each of us who we are today. We’ll do our best to continue building on your legacy by loving those around us more deeply tomorrow than we did today. We love you, Mom B!

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Mom B is survived by two extended families: sons, Jerry and Jacqueline Besecker of Atlantic, Virginia; Charles and Marlene Besecker of Wilmington, North Carolina. She taught all of us to love unconditionally, teaching by shaping the lives of four grandchildren and their families: Jay Besecker and daughters, Amanda and Brittany Besecker; John and Susie Besecker and daughter, Mary Catherine Besecker; Tony and Kathy Besecker and their children, Kelly and husband, Adam Guess, and Brian Besecker; and, granddaughter, Vicki and husband, Marcus Rast, and son, Brandon and wife, Stephanie, and daughters, Emma and Nora.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Mom B through a donation to the Ladies Auxiliary Quilters 6365 Church Street Chincoteague Island, VA 23336.

Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at Salyer’s Funeral Home, 6327 Church St, Chincoteague Island, Saturday, Dec 29th, at 2:00 PM. Graveside service at John W. Taylor Cemetery, 10481 Lankford Highway, Temperanceville, Accomack County, Virginia, will follow. Please join the family at their Island home upon conclusion of these memorials.

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