Meredith (Brown) Besse, 87, of Westerly, RI formerly of Wareham, MA died October 20, 2011 at home. She was the widow of the late Theo T. Besse who died in 1983 and the daughter of the late James S. & Ethel (Steele) Brown.

She was born in Longmeadow, RI and lived in Wareham for many years before moving to Rhode Island in 1985.

Mrs. Besse owned and operated Besse’s Barn on Cranberry Highway in Wareham for 30 years.  At the same time she ran a home daycare for many local children.  She also worked for Tabor Academy in Marion, MA and Country Acres Bed and Breakfast in Carolina, RI.

She was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Wareham for more than 60 years and St. Elizabeth’s Church in Canonchet, RI and the Women’s Army Corps. She enjoyed singing and crafts. She was an active member of Westerly Songbirds.

Survivors include 2 sons, Samuel Brown of Hope, RI and James E. Besse of Quaker Hill, CT; 2 sisters, Caroline Knox of Westerly, RI and Joyce Fletcher of Westerly. 4 grandchildren, Christine Woodbury of N. Scituate, RI, Donna Gravel of Warwick, RI, Kerri Besse of Brooklyn, NY and Kyle Besse of Griswold, CT; 2 great-grandchildren, Amanda and Kayla Woodbury of N. Scituate, RI. She was predeceased by her sisters, Velna Westgate, Dorothy Washko and Joan Dyer.

Her funeral was held October 24 in the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, next to her husband.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Wesley United Methodist Church, 462 Main St., Wareham, MA 02571 or St. Elizabeth’s Church, 63 Canonchet Rd., Hope Valley, RI 02832 or to Home & Hospice Care of RI, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904.

There will be a Memorial Service at St. Elizabeth’s Church at a date to be announced.

For online guestbook, visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com.