Bessie Tsokanis Bessie Tsokanis , of Brockton, at age 78, passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at BayPointe Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Brockton. Bessie was born in Brockton and was a graduate of Brockton High School. She attended Simmons College in Boston and graduated in 1952 with a Science degree in Chemistry and Mathematics. She was also President of her class. Upon graduation, Bessie went to work for the Center for Biochemical and Biophysical Sciences and Medicine at Harvard Medical School for a period of twenty-five years. Bessie's early years in the laboratory was studying proteines control of zinc in the body. Bert L. Vallee, a distinguished Senior Professor once said of his colleague "Bessie, I don't even know how the Biophysics Laboratory would have gotten on its feet or stayed there without you. Anyone who could teach George Thorn, the Hersey Professor of Physics, how to do an ADH assay deserves a memorial" Bessie was then loaned to the Children's Hospital in Boston, to work with Dr. Jodah Folkman, the world famous cancer researcher whose insights led to a whole new field in medicine. It restored her faith in the eternity of science and friendship. She also worked for several years as a research associate at the Brockton VA Hospital in the research program under Dr. Sabit Gabay and Dr. Francis Archee in their studies on a significant brain enzyme. In her retirement, she enjoyed her friends, became an avid reader, and did some traveling. She was an ardent fan of the Boston Red Sox. She was a member of the Simmons Club, The Brockton College Club, Daughters of Penelope, Philoptohos Society, and a member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Brockton. In addition to her husband Peter, she leaves her son, Luke of Nahant; her daughter, Alexa of Braintree; her daughter-in-law, Amy and her grandchildren, Rita and Peter. Funeral Information Funeral from the Russell Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont St., (Rt123) Brockton on Saturday at 8:30AM followed by a funeral service in the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 457 Oak St., Brockton at 9:30AM. The Rev. Anthony Evangelatos will officiate. Interment will follow in Melrose Cemetery, Brockton. Calling hours in the Russell Pica Funeral Home Friday 5:00-8:00PM.