Harvey––- Seraphine M. “Sarah” Bressette, 87, of 116 Ojibwa Trail, Marquette, entered eternal life Wednesday morning, June 6, 2007, at her home, in the loving and compassionate care of her family and the caregivers of UP Home Health and Hospice.
Born July 1, 1919 in Baraga, Sarah was raised by her grandparents, Jean and Charles Papin, in the Baraga area. On November 26, 1934 she married Clifford Vincent Bressette at Assinins, and the couple set about establishing their home and raising a family, which would eventually include fourteen children. In 1942 the Bressette family moved to Marquette where Sarah was employed as a cook at the former Bon Ton Cafe and Coffee Cup Cafe. She later was employed as head cook at St. Mary’s Hospital for fifteen years. Sarah was a member of St. Christopher Catholic Church, the Kateri Tekakwitha Circle, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, and the St. Anthony of Padua Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, and sewing. Sarah considered herself blessed, because of her children and grandchildren, and credited her Lord, Jesus, and Blessed Mother, Mary, with providing her the strength and comfort needed for life and its ordeals. Even with her large family and working outside the home, Sarah and her husband still found time to take in foster children throughout the years. She was a generous, giving, and caring Christian lady.
Sarah’s family was her life and she thoroughly enjoyed her role as wife, mother, and grandmother. Survivors include seven daughters, Carol (Ken) Peterson of Escanaba, Cheryl Bressette of Ishpeming, Paulette Beauchamp, Sandra Carlson, and Geraldine Bess of Marquette, and Kathy (Kevin) Mercure and Linda Bressette both of Harvey; five sons, Donald (Stephanie) Bresette of Minot, ND, Keith Bressette and Glen (Joann) Bressette both of Harvey, Allen Bressette of Marquette, and Michael Bressette of Gwinn; 65 grandchildren; 64 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Sarah was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford in 1974; a son, Wayne Charles “Sam” Brisette in 2002; a daughter, Gloria Finnerty in 2003; her sister, Elizabeth Genschow; and step-brothers, William, Robert, and Clifford Tyosh.
Friends may call at St. Christopher Catholic Church on Friday, June 8, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 pm Friday afternoon with Rev. John Hascall, OFM Cap as celebrant. Escorts will be grandsons, Derek Bressette, Gardner Bess Jr, Cllifford Peterson, Randy Peterson, Glen Bressette Jr, and son-in-law, Kevin Mercure. Burial will be made in the Holy Cross Cemetery. A reception for family and friends will follow in the church fellowship hall.