Beatrice R. (Tortorella) DeLeo of Medford passed away on Tuesday, October 20th, at the age of 103. Born in Charlestown, she was the daughter of the late Giuseppe and Josephine (Coletta) Tortorella.
Beatrice was the beloved wife of the late Candoloro DeLeo, and the late Joseph Pollino. She was the devoted mother of Francis DeLeo and his late wife Mary, and his current wife Leslie Varrelman of Florida, Michael DeLeo and his partner Sue Ramey of Ipswich, MA, and Candace DeLeo and her husband Mark Berger of Washington State. Beatrice was the loving grandmother of Evan DeLeo and Matthew Berger, and dear sister of the late Margaret Paula, Rose Sergi, Flora Giannetto, Santa Fava and Lawrence Tortorella. She is survived by many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Beatrice lived most of her adult life in Medford where she raised her family. She worked for the state of Massachusetts in an administrative capacity until her retirement. Along with being a fabulous home cook, she loved to garden and created a beautiful yard in which she spent many an hour tending. Beatrice was an excellent dancer and had once dreamed of being a Rockette. She loved a date night out dancing with her husband and dear friends. Throughout her life, she was never without the company of her beloved Siamese cats. Beatrice was fiercely independent and her mantra was "I row my own boat." She was considered the matriarch of her extended family and was loved and respected by all who had the pleasure to know her.
Visiting hours will be held in the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford on Tuesday, November 17th from 9 AM to 11 AM, with a memorial service in the funeral home at 11 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memorials Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.