Bessie Elizabeth Doris (nee Rowsell) Nightingale
March 8, 1942 to June 10, 2025
Obituary
To view the funeral service via livestream please go to St. John’s Citadel YouTube or Facebook page.
Bessie Elizabeth Doris Nightingale (nee: Rowsell) passed peacefully away surrounded by her devoted family at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital at the age of 83.
Predeceased by her loving husband Robert Nightingale on June 4, 2025; her Parents: Arthur and Minnie Rowsell (nee: Cooper); Brothers: Cecil Warford (Shirley) and Maxwell Rowsell; Sister-In-Law: Ruth Payne; Step-Granddaughter: Holly Swinimer; Parents-In-Law: Edgar and Una Nightingale; Brother-In-Law: David Nightingale; and, Great-Niece Laura Green.
Leaving with many warm memories are her children Kelly Collins (Dean), Kent Wells (Kim) and Krista Wells; Stepchildren: Scott (Carolann), Steve (Lorrie) and Susie (Stephen); Siblings Violet “Sis” Monk (Gordon), Smith Rowsell (Florence) and John Payne; Sisters-In-Law Elizabeth Rowsell and Sandra Nightingale; Grandchildren: Candace Collins (Jamie), Cara Collins (David), Danielle Scarff, Mike Nightingale (Megan), Michael Price, Matt Nightingale (Jennifer), Ryan Nightingale (Katrina), Rylie Nightingale, William Swinimer, Emily Mitton (Isaac), Cicero Hope, Stephen Swinimer, Heather Swinimer; Great-Grandchildren: Mia, Gage, Elena, Ryder, Joseph, Grayson, Preston and Kaitlyn; many Nieces and Nephews.
Bessie was born in Point Leamington, NL. Throughout her career, Bessie owned a hair salon, worked in childcare, and retired as a clerk from the Salvation Army Grace General Hospital. Bessie loved gardening and took pride in making her flower beds beautiful and unique. She tried her hand at many creative pursuits, including painting, sewing, and quilting. Bessie loved to share her cookies and always had something on hand to share with family, friends and neighbours. Bessie and Bob were married for 38 loving years. They were devoted to each other as partners and friends. They enjoyed gardening, cards, flea markets, and entertaining their group of friends and family in their spare time.
A special thank you to Westbury Estate staff and care team, as well as the staff of the St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital, for the care and kindness they showed Bessie.
Cremation has taken place at Bessie’s request.
Bessie and Bob were inseparable in life and in death. With this in mind, the family will be honouring their commitment to each other with a joint visitation, funeral and inurnment.
Visitation to take place at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road, from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, June 12th. Funeral service will be held at the Salvation Army Citadel on Friday, June 13 at 2:00 p.m., with interment to follow at the Salvation Army Cemetery.
Schedule
Visitations
7-9 p.m. on June 12, 2025
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map
funeral
2:00pm, Friday June 13th
Salvation Army Citadel
Burial at the Salvation Army Cemetery
Kelly, Kent, and Krista. We are so sorry to hear of your beautiful mother’s passing. She will always have a special place in our hearts. Condolences to you all.
Glenn, Christine, Tammy, and Dana Way
Violet and Gordon
Thinking of you both during this sad time with the passing of Bessie and Bob.
Sincere condolences.
Sorry to hear of Bessie passing
My condolences to the family
May God guide you through this difficult time.
Our sincere condolences on the passing of Bessie & Robert. May God be with you all at this very difficult time.
Florence & Dave
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this most difficult time. Cherish the memories
Violet and Gordon and Bessie’s family.
Our thoughts, prayers and love are with you.
She was a beautiful lady who I got to work with at the Grace General Hospital. . Oh how we laughed!!!
May her memories be in your hearts forever.
“ Lord help us laugh again but we will never forget why we cried.” RIP BESSIE.. God Bless you all.
To Vi & Gordon please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of your sister.Francis & Liz Keating.
To the families of Bob and Bessie we were shocked to learn this morning of Bessie passing.. They were a very kind couple and were so close to each other.. Derm and I did their wedding pictures we have never seen a couple so close and dedicated to each other.. we have a lot of good memories of them both.. Cherish the memories they will help you through this difficult time. May they rest in peace together.
To Kelly, Kent, Krista, Steve, Scott, Suzie and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Bessie and Bob’s passing. We have many fond family memories over the years. We wish we could be with you during this difficult time. Take comfort in knowing that they are together and loving each other as they did in life.
We pass on our sincere condolences. Look after and comfort each other in the coming days.
Kelly and family, Kent and Krista:
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. Keeping you all in thought and prayer in the sad and difficult days ahead. Hold all your precious memories close, they will help you through.
Lynn and Benson
To “The Families ” of Bessie & Bob
We don’t have all the answers to Life’s questions, and we don’t understand why. We will cherish a lot of good memories.
So sorry for your loss. Keeping you close in thoughts and prayers.
Our Deepest sympathy.
Clyde & Mildred Seaward
Our deepest condolences to all the family.
RIP Aunt Bessie!
Sending you our deepest condolences and thinking of you during this difficult time.
Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories. Your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
To Kelly Kent and Krista;
When I think of your mom I think of her kindness and that beautiful smile. She loved her family very much and was very proud of each of you. Now her and Bob are reunited again in death. She also have received her heavenly reward. To absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Val and Brian
The Nightingale Family,
Finest I have to apologize for not seeing both death notices at once.As I already mentioned I knew Kent but not the family. All I can really say is the iknow all of his family very much.So please once again accept my condolences to all the family and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Jocelyn Cobb
Scott, deepest sympathy on the passing of Bessie, especially so soon after your Dad. They are together once again and the love and joy they shared will never fade. HUGS
I’m sad to hear of Bessie’s passing! She was a lovely lady who knew how to bake delicious treats, that she brought in to us practically every visit. She had a devilish sense of humor and a glint in her eye. My condolences go out to her family. RIP Bessie!