Bessie D. Collamore, 78, of Bremen, died July 30 at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport. She was born April 24, 1934 in Rockland to Herbert J. Staples Sr. and Jessie Poland Staples. She grew up and attended schools in Rockland, Louds Island and South Portland. She earned her G.E.D. at Medomak Valley High School in 1977.
She married Gilbert W. Collamore Sr. on June 14, 1958. She worked as a C.N.A. for many years at Fieldcrest Manor in Waldoboro. She was the charge nurse her last two years at Fieldcrest. She was a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary.
Her family was her life and she was always there for them. She loved her cat, Tiger, her sixth kid as she used to say. She loved country music, dancing, roller skating, ice skating and was the loving caretaker of her family.
She was predeceased by brothers, Paul Staples and Herbert J. Staples Jr.
She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Gilbert W. Collamore Sr. of Bremen; daughters, Paula McWilliams of Rockport, April DeVarney and husband Bruce of Rockland, and Kimberley Cooper and husband Andrew Stillson of Auburn; sons, Gilbert Collamore Jr. and companion Patricia Hoch of Waldoboro, and Clinton Collamore Sr. and wife Mary of Waldoboro; brother, George Staples and wife Linda of Florida; grandchildren, Peggy Callahan of Rockland, Billie Jo McWilliams of Rockland, Larry Reed, Jr. of Rockland, Denita Dawn McWilliams of Rockland, Paula Jo Ryder of Clinton, Mass., Pauline McWilliams of Camden, Alicia McWilliams of Warren, Brooke Simmons of Friendship, Jessie Cooper of Warren, Laci DeVarney of Rockland, Kathleen Deabler of Waldoboro, Amber Ley Benoit of Waldoboro, Benjamin Rackliff of Cushing, Clinton Collamore Jr. of Waldoboro, and Cody Alan Collamore of Thomaston; many great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Sonja Staples of Lincolnville.
Visiting hours 6-8 p.m., Thurs., Aug. 2 at the Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St. in Waldoboro. Funeral 10 a.m., Fri., Aug. 3 at the Hall Funeral Home with Pastor Tom Rawley officiating. Burial will follow in the Hillside Cemetery in Bremen.
You are invited to share your condolences with the family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Waldoboro.