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Note: Her mother died in December 1902 when Bessie was just one month old. The youngest of five children, she was sent to an orphanage after her mother's death.
As Bessie BAUDCHAINE, she attended Richland County, Montana Elementary School, Fairview High School in Fairview, Montana and State Teachers College in Valley City, North Dakota, graduating September 1921 with a major in literature. She graduated from Longview Business College in September 1924.
Bess came to Longview in 1928 after teaching school in North Dakota. She was employed by the Highland Dairy for 20 years, serving as Office Manager. At the time of her death she was a secretary in the State Excise Tax Commission Office and a City Council member. She was active in the Longview Business and Professional Women's Club, Cowlitz Valley VFW Auxiliary, Rebekah Lodge, League of Women Voters, and the Office Employees Union. She belonged to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Longview.
She was married to James Belangy from 1927 to 1946. Her only child, James Peter Belangy, died on December 8, 1949 at age 21. His plane crashed off the coast of Hawaii during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Bess had a rheumatic heart condition for many years and was sticken while driving her Carmen Ghia along Nichols Blvd. in Longview and struck a tree. She was honored by resolution of the City of Longview on April 8, 1965 for her community service.
In her will, she left Frances Thomas Carlson (Peggy) her Cowlitz Dairyman Stock. To the children of Frances Carlson she left her stamp collection and scrap books. To Barbara Conrow Killian, she left her antiques, except those originally belonging to the LaRiviere family. And to Peter Beauchaine, her foster father, she bequeathed one dollar.
Note: Bessie was born to John Wesley TODD and Mildred "Millie" Frances MERCER.
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