Beatrice Abate

Beatrice V. Abate

April 20, 1916-October 25, 2015

Beatrice “Bea” Vendetti Abate    passed away peacefully on October 25, 2015, at Cherrywood   Advanced Living in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Bea was born April 20, 1916, to Frank and   Isabelle (DeFonso)   Deioia in Keewatin, Minnesota.    After the death of her father in 1921, Bea   and her siblings were adopted by Tony  Vendetti.

Bea graduated from R L Downing High School in 1934, and attended Hibbing Junior College.  She married James V. Abate in 1939, at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Keewatin. Bea and Jimmy lived in Keewatin until 1967, when they moved to Hibbing, MN where they resided for 25 years.  In 1992, Bea moved to St. Cloud MN.

Bea was a member of St Mary’s Catholic Church, Keewatin, Blessed Sacrament Church, and the Church of St. Paul, St. Cloud MN.  She belonged to St. Bridget’s Church Circle and taught catechism at St. Mary’s.

Bea was a football fan and sports enthusiast her entire life.  As a young woman, she played doubles tennis, bowled, and skated.     She was an avid reader and enjoyed playing bridge with the members of her bridge club.     Bea was devoted to her husband, family, and friends and was an excellent homemaker.     Bea’s family would describe her as authentic and engaging,   leaving a legacy of fierce loyalty, spirited independence, generosity,       and unrelenting strength and determination.

Bea is survived by her son, James (Linda) Abate, Gainesville, Florida;  her daughter, June (Edward) Roos, St Cloud, MN;  grandsons Anthony (Kate) Roos, Minneapolis;  Thomas  (Holly) Roos, St. Michael;  James Abate, San Francisco, California;   and great grandchildren, Jake, Brett and Iris Roos.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James V. Abate; brothers Albert Vendetti, Corvallis, Oregon;  Jack Vendetti,  Sacramento, California;   and her  sister, Josephine LaDuke,  Antioch, California.

A funeral Mass celebrating her life will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, October 31, 2015, in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Hibbing.  Visitation will be in the church for one hour prior to the Mass.  Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, Hibbing.  To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.doughertyofhibbing.com .