Jessie M. (Munro) Bickford, a lifelong resident of Melrose in her 96th year, passed away at the Elmhurst Nursing Home in Melrose on Thursday September 3, 2009. Born in Melrose on February 26, 1914 to the late John & Elizabeth (Blaney) Munro. Jessie was raised in Melrose, graduated from St. Mary's Grammar School and attended St. Mary's High School. Mrs. Bickford worked at Friends Beans in Melrose, the Muffin Man Bakery and then at Liman's Market for 12 years. She was a longtime member of Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Wakefield where she was a member of the Ladies Guild. Jessie enjoyed knitting, yard sales, antiques, trips to consignment stores; especially the North Reading store. Mrs. Bickford loved to spend time with her sisters and brother and going out to lunch with the "Girls". She was the wife of the late Gilman N. Bickford. Loving mother of John G. Bickford & his wife Karen of Melrose. Devoted grandmother of Jessi Letendre & her husband Jeremy & Meaghann Bickford all of Oregon. Dear friend of Eugene Deschene of Melrose. Sister of the late Helen, Munro, Margaret Rutyna, Isabel Weaver, Ornetta Burton & John Munro. Sister-in-law of Ruth Munro of NH. Aunt of Patricia Palmer, Howard Weaver, Jane Melanson, Elizabeth Magnuson, Robert Burton, James Munro, Elizabeth Sawyer & Mary Rutyna. Also survived by several grand nieces & grand nephews. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose, on Tuesday, Sept. 8th at 8AM. Funeral Mass in The Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St. Wakefield at 9AM. Relatives & friends invited. Visiting hours Monday from 4-8PM. Interment in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. Memorial contributions may be made to Most Blessed Sacrament Church Building Fund, 11 Grove St. Melrose, 02176.