Ada Hess

ROCHESTER - Ada Louise (Mansfield) Hess, age 90, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009, at Rochester Manor in Rochester.Born Feb. 11, 1919, in Chester, W. Va., Ada was the daughter of Charles Oriel Mansfield and Nellie A. (Calhoon) Mansfield.Ada graduated from Chester (W. Va.) High School in 1937. In 1940, Ada graduated from Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, Pa., and from the University of Pittsburgh in 1945, with the bachelor of science degree in nursing education.As a registered nurse, Ada had been a clinical instructor in various hospital schools of nursing. She was a school nurse in the Bethlehem, Pa., Area School District for 10 years, retiring in 1972.Ada and her husband, Bob, resided in Quakertown, Pa., for seven years and then they lived in Bethlehem, Pa., for 28 years. They moved to Rochester in 1984.While in Bethlehem, Ada was a 30-year member of First Presbyterian Church, where she served as a deacon and a member of the Womens' Association.Ada was a member of the American Association of University Women since 1952, having first joined in Bethlehem and then in Rochester as a member of the Seacoast Branch in Durham, N.H.Ada was a member of First Parish, UCC (Congregational) of Somersworth and its Womens' Fellowship Association.She was a life member and past president of the Frisbie Memorial Hospital Auxiliary in Rochester. She had been a hospital volunteer for about 10 years.Ada also volunteered and supported the Rochester Opera House restoration and its many events, and was a member of the Rochester Heritage Trust.She enjoyed playing bridge in various groups in the Bethlehem and Rochester areas. Among her many hobbies were needlepoint crafts, flower arranging, and in particular, making pine cone arrangements. She held workshops in her home to teach the art of wreath making.Ada married Robert J. Hess on June 22, 1945, in Seattle, Wash., at the Prospect Congregational Church, and they were married for 63 years. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the Governor's Inn, Rochester, and their 60th wedding anniversary at the home of their daughter in Sanbornville. Her greatest joy in life was her family, especially celebrating important events and holidays with her extended family. Ada was predeceased by her sister, Virginia (Mansfield) Pinney, and her brother, W. Lloyd Mansfield. She is survived by her sisters, Martha (Mansfield) Hudson Goodrich of Chester, Md., and Jensen Beach, Fla., and Lela Maxine (Mansfield) Mountjoy of Chester, W. Va. She is also survived by her brother, Charles F. Mansfield of Chester, W. Va.Other surviving family members are two daughters, Mrs. Frederick Roberta (Bobbie) Goodrich, of Sanbornville and Madeline Olson of Sacramento, Calif.Ada is survived by four grandchildren, Stephanie (Goodrich) Harpring of Bow, Gregory S. Goodrich, of Manchester, Edward D. Olson and Jennifer Q. Olson, of Sacramento, Calif.She is also survived by two great grandchildren, Alyssa and Jill Harpring of Bow; five nieces; two nephews; and several grandnieces and grandnephews.Calling hours will be held on Friday, Sept. 4, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at R. M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 S. Main Street, Rochester. A memorial service to celebrate Ada's life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 10 a.m. at First Parish UCC, 176 West High St., Somersworth, with burial to follow at Forest Glade Cemetery, Somersworth.The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff at Rochester Manor for their loving and compassionate care.Family flowers only, please. Memorial donations made be made to First Parish Church, UCC, Somersworth, NH, or to the Scholarship Fund of the Frisbie Memorial Hospital Women's Auxiliary, 11 Whitehall Road, Rochester, NH 03867.Visit the online guest book at www.fosters.com/obits