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Helena Bessette

A woman is wearing a large hat with a big ribbon. She is dressed in an old fashioned long skirt and high necked blouse. The sleeves are billowy. Her hands are behind her back and she is smiling.

Denis Duke Collection

Helena Bessette was the daughter of Napoleon and Hortence (Lamoureaux) Bessette. She was born in 1876 at Roxton Pond, Quebec.

Helena arrived in Lumby around 1890 with her parents and four siblings. On June 19th, 1893, Helena married Louis Debois. Three children were born to the union: Maryanne Fabiola (Anna), born in December 1893; Arthur, born August 1894 and Rosa, born in November 1897.

Helena was not happy in her marriage and eventually filed for divorce. Imagine how scandalous a divorce was in those days! Helena had little chance of ever being accepted in Lumby society again. In due course, Helena obtained her divorce and married Joseph King in 1911. Helena and Joseph moved to Everett, Snohomish, Washington, taking only Helena’s daughter Rosa with them.

Helena died in 1919. She was only 43 years old.