Beatrice D. “Bea” Montanarella, 86, of Bedford, NH and Weston, FL, died June 3, 2011 at home in the presence of her family after a year long courageous battle with metastatic renal carcinoma. She was born May 2, 1925, to Richard and Louise (Tomaselli) in Toronto, Canada, the second of three daughters. She was predeceased by her parents and eldest sister Margaret Martello. She is survived by her younger sister, Eleanor Addario of Welland, Ontario.

In 1948 as a bookkeeper, she left Canada to marry her spouse, Dr. Joseph James Montanarella of Rochester, NY. “Bea” was a devoted loving wife to her husband of 63 years, Joe and loving mother to five children, Anthony John of Elmira, NY; Mark of Coral Springs, FL; Paul of Anthem, AZ, Mary Jo and Catherine Elizabeth of Bedford, NH. She and her surviving spouse Joe and Bisson “Nina” spent fall and winters in Florida and the remainder of the year in New Hampshire. Facing the “empty nest,” Queen ”Bea” became an avid golfer, mahjong player, murder mystery enthusiast, knitter and crocheter who made all her children and 15 grandchildren their “sendoff” college afghan quilts. She enjoyed babysitting, talking, cooking, travel and Niagra slots. She especially enjoyed time with her 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and her pets Nina and Moca. Bea was a communicant of St. Elizabeth Seton Church.

Calling hours are Tuesday from 3 to 8 P.M. at 52 Pasture Lane, Bedford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday at 10 A.M. in St. Elizabeth Seton Church, Bedford. Committal prayers will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Bedford.

Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society 2 Commerce Drive Suite 110, Bedford, NH 03110 or Animal Rescue League of NH 545 Route 101, Bedford, NH 03110. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.goodwinfh.com.