Beatrice S. Mello

Please click here to view the live stream of the funeral service for Mrs. Beatrice S. Mello. The live stream will begin at 12:00pm on Tuesday, August 23rd.

Unfortunately for everyone who knew her, Beatrice S. Mello has passed away. She was proceeded in death by her husband, Alvin, in 1997, her parents, Rosanna and Henry, and brothers, Alfred and Aime, to a peaceful rest together. Fortunately, her love and spirit live on in everyone who knew her, like her younger siblings, Roger, and Claire. Her kind, compassionate nature endures through her children: Kathy, Ken (Janet), Steve, Jim (Diane), Bruce, Pat (Mike), and Janet (Robert). Her warmth and guidance are passed down to her twenty-one grand and great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, far too many to name but all of whom would tell you without hesitation how much they loved their Grandma/Aunt Bea.

She was born in Fall River, MA, on January 30, 1933. Growing up during the Great Depression and World War II shaped Bea. She valued family more than anything else, so she went ahead and made sure she had a really big one just to drive that point home.

Bea was full of heart and patience, good through-and-through. She raised seven kids while her husband was stationed in the Air Force overseas. Later in life, she redefined herself and became a certified dental assistant. In her fifties! She always finished what she started, and she was deeply humble. 

Bea smiled with her eyes. A soft, knowing smile. Her giggle was short, more for herself than anyone she was talking with. She was an amazing listener; she had to be, with so many people who wanted to talk to her all the time. 

She loved peanut butter toast and coffee ice cream and cranberry sauce, specifically from the can. Do not suggest or even think of making it at home. The expiration date on her food was more a suggestion than any sort of mandate. On the other hand, you could expect Bea to show up 30 minutes before a party.

Bea loved Days of Our Lives and Wheel of Fortune. She had to have seen every episode of Price is Right, too. She enjoyed watching figure skating competitions. She loved puzzles and playing bingo with friends.

She spent countless hours in the Hallmark store, hunting for the perfect card. One that said exactly what she wanted you to hear. We are quite sure that she singlehandedly kept them in business, Hallmark’s customer of a lifetime. She sent out a card for every occasion; anniversary cards and birthday cards; cards that charted out life events. A card for every milestone. Little paper memories, signed simply with her tight cursive script. Sometimes she threw in an “xoxo” for good measure. She wanted to make sure you knew she loved you on your special day.

Bea was the family historian. Give her a date and she could string together a web of birthdays, holidays, who died and how they were related to the family, what health conditions they had. Her mind was like an encyclopedia. She would dole out facts and anecdotes like candy. Did you know toothpaste is great for bee stings? We have no idea where she picked up these nuggets of wisdom.

She never wanted to be a burden. And she never was. At the end she said she thought a lot about love. She did not elaborate. With her family surrounding her, nothing else needed to be said.

Bea touched so many lives and cared so deeply about so many people. She had so many titles. She was a daughter, a wife, a mother, a sister, an aunt;, a grandmother, a great grandmother, a friend, and a dental assistant . And now she adds one more. She is deeply missed.