Bessie Irene (Arbogast) Hoffa

 

    On the morning of Monday, May 25th, 2015, Canton resident Bessie Irene (Arbogast) Hoffa  passed away quietly at Bradford County Manor.  She was 96 years of age.  Born March 2nd, 1919 in Spencertown (Union Township) Tioga County, Pa., she was the daughter of  Jacob and Edna (Allen) Arbogast.  For many years Bessie was employed as a machine operator for the former Swayze Folding Box Company in Canton.  In 1955 she married Edwin Hoffa.  Bessie and Ed were inseparable, and during the next sixty years shared time together fishing, raising Thanksgiving turkeys and motorcycling.  Bessie was an active member of the Canton Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ) where she and Ed, like the Levites of Biblical times, voluntarily  tended to the custodial needs of the Lord's House.  Bessie was also known as a great cook, and enjoyed cooking for large groups, such as the Canton High School Girls' Volleyball Team.  She had also been a member of the Canton Lady Rebekahs.  Bessie always considered the feelings of others and placed the needs of others before her own.  She made it a point to live each day by the Golden Rule.