Lavina May Besanson

Lavina May (Barckley) Besanson of Westminster, passed away peacefully at Fountain Valley hospital surrounded by her family Wednesday Sep. 21, 2011.

She was born on March 28, 1928 in Iron River Michigan to the late William & Stella (Glight) Barckley.

She was educated at Central elementary and Lincoln High School in Iron River until the 10th grade. Lavina was 15 years old when her father died on June 27, 1945. She then applied to the courts to be too emaciated. Also in 1945 she study hard and received her GED.

In Lavina’s youth she loved roller skating and ice-skating. She met her husband Robert Besanson of Green Bay WI at a roller rink in Green Bay when she was only 13 and he was 17 years old. Robert joined the CCC'O (Civilian Conservation Corps.) and then he joined the Navy in 1942. Through out those years they kept in contact and were married in Elizabeth City, North Carolina on March 13th 1948. They started a family and had 4 children. They lived in Virginia & Florida before traveling to Southern California in 1956 and making that their permanent home in Westminster in 1962 and have lived there for 49 years.

Through out Lavina’s life as she raised her family she enjoyed doing many things. She was an avid bowler and was in many bowling leagues traveling through out Southern California. She was very involved with the school PTA. She also loved to sing and dance and played in numerous plays, skit’s and choirs. She was a member of the Westminster Springdale Baptist Church and loved singing solo songs and being in the choir.

Lavina loved vacationing in Hawaii and going on cruises. At home she enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packer games. She loved knitting and always knitted something for everyone at Christmas. She was an avid book reader and loved all crossword puzzles.

Lavina was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Robert A Besanson on June 12, 1992; 2 sisters; Dollie (Baker) Grace of Balliston Spa, NY. & Mabel (Baker) Cirello of Iron River MI.

She is survived by 4 children; Kathy (Jim) Estes of Springfield, OR, Karen (Frank) Patino of Riverside, CA, Robert (Connie) Besanson Jr. of Westminster, CA, and William (Doretta) Besanson of Chino, CA., 11 Grandchildren, 14 Great Grand children; 2 Great, Great Grandchildren.

Viewing Services will be held at the Westminster Memorial Park on Friday September 30, 2011 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Funeral Services will be held at the Westminster Memorial Chapel on Saturday October 1, 2011 at 12:00 pm.

A reception will follow at 13422 Amarillo Dr., Westminster.

Cross Streets: Hoover St. & Trask Ave. Interment will be private at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, CA. She will be laid to rest there with her husband Robert A Besanson at a later date.

Viewing Services will be held at the Westminster Memorial Park on Friday September 30, 2011 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Funeral Services will be held at the Westminster Memorial Chapel on Saturday October 1, 2011 at 12:00 pm.

A reception will follow at 13422 Amarillo Dr., Westminster.

Cross Streets: Hoover St. & Trask Ave. Interment will be private at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, CA. She will be laid to rest there with her husband Robert A Besanson at a later date.

The family wishes to express their appreciation for the outpouring of love and kindness.