NORTH ADAMS, Mass. —  

Dorothea Arlene (Bessette) Tower, 84 of North Adams died on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at Williamstown Commons. She was born on July 11, 1941 in Burlington, Vermont, a daughter of the late Robert Bessette & Doris (Allen) Bessette-Pepin.

Dorothea attended schools in North Adams including Drury High School. She was last employed at Steinerfilm in Williamstown until her retirement. She loved dancing, bowling, and reading, and was a member of the Red Hat Society. She was a past President of Ladies Auxiliary North Adams Eagles and State President of Eagle Ladies Auxiliary.

Dorothea was the widow of Henry Miles Tower who died on December 16, 2018. They were married on September 15, 1977. She leaves her daughters, Patricia Primmer (William) of Stamford, VT, Sherrie Tower (Tobias Daza) of Adams, MA. She also leaves her two sons, Alphonse Phaneuf of CT and Douglas Phaneuf of Leeds, MA. She a leaves three stepchildren, Stephen Tower (Lynne) of Charlotte, NC, Brenda Piscioneri of Adams and Gordon Tower (Melissa) of Adams, MA. She also leaves 16 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, two brothers, Robert Bessette of Dalton and Michael Pepin of FL. She was predeceased by her stepson Wayne Tower and a brother William Bessette of Vermont.

FUNERAL NOTICE: A celebration of the life of Dorthea Tower will be private. Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Homes- Central Chapel 74 Marshall St. North Adams, MA 01247 is entrusted with arrangements. To add to the book of memories please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com