Obituary of Beatrice Victoria Rossi

Beatrice Victoria (Bea) Rossi, who resided nearly 60 years on Cascade Ranch, passed on Friday, February 10 at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, CA at the age of 98. Mrs. Rossi was born in San Francisco on November 21, 1918 at the family residence on Greenwich Street in North Beach. She was the second daughter of Carlo and Ermida (Cicornio) Tirio. Her father, a well-established member of the Northern California Italian-American community, instilled in his daughters an appreciation of their Italian-American heritage which she preserved during her lifetime. She attended schools in San Francisco, Santa Barbara and locally. Prior to graduating from high school she joined her Uncle and Aunt who were farming with the Rossi Family at Cascade Ranch. It was at that time that she first met the man who years later would become her husband. In 1938 she moved to Santa Cruz to join family members now farming in westside. She developed a circle of friends and with her family enjoyed attending dances, picnics and other social events. The site now known as Bocce's Cellar (Urbani's) was a prominent gathering place where Bea enjoyed dancing. In 1956 Bea Tirio married Rudolph "Rudy" Rossi, the young man she had met years earlier as a child. Rudy was farming at Cascade Ranch with family and the late Jim Humphrey. Bea would once again be at Cascade Ranch, a place she loved, and embraced her new home and role. The ranch was a bevy of activities as the Humphrey family also lived there and the late Bonnie Humphrey raised, trained and showed Golden Retrievers. One of Bea's favorite stories was the day her husband's pick-up got stuck and Bing Crosby offered assistance. Bing had just picked-up his dog, but was not too busy to offer help and to chat. Bea and her husband entertained extensively on the ranch. She particularly enjoyed using the cookhouse as it could accommodate a large number of guests. Bea also loved cooking the products of the ranch and was asked on many occasions if she would prepare an artichoke frittata or Rice Torta. The ranch was a stopping point on Highway 1 for many friends and colleagues. Bea enjoyed outings to San Francisco and Santa Cruz. In the Santa Cruz area they were members of the Que Sera Sera Club, which fostered Italian-American heritage, fellowship, and social activities including dancing, one of Bea's favorite things to do. She also was a charter member and served a few terms as President of the Sons of Italy in America, Santa Cruz Lodge 1992. Another love and light of Bea's life was a handsome fox terrier named Kelly. He was her constant companion for over 17 years on the ranch, during shopping trips, visiting friends or just curled up on his favorite chair. When he passed Bea enjoyed a black Lab and a mutt, named Charley Brown, who was the coastal Casanova, however no dog would ever match Kelly. Her friendship with the late Catherine Steele and a desire to see historic sites and a land preserved, she became active for a number of years with the South San Mateo County Historical Society. Bea felt honored that a road was named Rossi, honoring the contributions of the family to the agricultural history of the area. Bea enjoyed people and maintained friendships for a lifetime through visits, calls and correspondence. When an old friend passed, she would continue the friendship through other family members. She was sincere and caring towards many and leaves a large legacy and imprint that she made a difference. Bea Rossi is survived by her niece Charlene Shaffer-Bommarito (Robert), grandnephews, Anthony and Marc Shaffer and nieces, Marsha Marsano (Joe), and Marla Meek (Kevin), Gina Navaroli, nephews, Mark Rossi (Linda), Louis Rossi (Barbara), and a number of grandnieces and nephews. The family thanks her caregivers Joy Beloria and Diana Valentine. A visitation will be held this Thursday, February 16th from 3:30 to 6:30 pm at Santa Cruz Memorial Mission Chapel located at 1927 Ocean Street Extension, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. The funeral service lead by Father Ron Green will take place the following day on Friday, February 17th at 11 a.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery, 2271 Seventh Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062.