Beatrice "Beata" Bavaro

Beatrice (Beata) Bavaro, 90, passed away on Friday, April 5, 2024.  She was born on February 11, 1934 in Carovilli, Italy to the late Ernesto and Lucia (Carano) Padula.  Our mom grew up during the end of WWII helping her mom raise her younger siblings while her dad was away during the war serving in Africa.  She relayed many stories and hardships that her family encountered during and after the war.  Her family immigrated to the USA in 1955, but she had to stay in Italy with her older sister (Maria) who was of adult age and could not come.  Our mom and aunt were separated from their family for 5 years.  During that time, she spent time with her friends in the local convent where the nuns taught her how to sew, knit and crochet.  Finally in November of 1960 at age 25, they were able to come to the US and rejoin their family again.

Our mom was never formally educated in the USA, but worked at St Thomas hospital cleaning bed linens during nightshift until she met our Dad and were married at St Anthony’s parish in 1963. They never had a lot but we will always remember how hard they worked for everything we had.   Our mom and dad made many sacrifices and devoted their entire life in supporting us so that we could have a better and easier life then they did.  Family meant everything to them and we will always remember the huge family meals, get togethers and vacations with our aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins. She was an excellent cook and always enjoyed feeding anyone that came to our home.  She was also very proud that my sister and I graduated college and accomplished things that she and my dad had hoped for. That pride, devotion and love extended to my wife, her grand children and great grandchildren. She enjoyed her many friends, going places with my dad after his retirement, playing cards, watching the Italian TV station, her grandchildren and great grandchildren and going to the casino where she won more often than most people.  She was also a faithful member of St Anthony’s Catholic church and the Carovillese Ladies Auxillary.

Our mom was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 39 years, Dan (Ildebrando) Bavaro; brother, Rudy Padula; sister, Elsa Barbetta; brothers-in-law, Pino Mollica and Dante Parisi.  She is survived by her son, Nick (Roberta) Bavaro; daughter, Marisa Bavaro; grandchildren, Nathan, Daniel (Abbey), Nicholas, and Colleen Bavaro; great-grandchildren, William and Avery; sisters, Maria Parisi, Lillian Mollica; brother, Frank (Mary Ellen) Padula; brother-in-law, Mike Barbetta; and many nieces and nephews in the Akron Area, California, Canada and Italy.

While it is very hard to see her leave us, we take comfort that she led a good and faithful life and that she is in heaven with our dad and family, reunited again with no more pain and suffering.  Our family would like to thank Gentiva Hospice Care who provided amazing support to her and our family during her final weeks.

Visitation will be Friday, April 12, 2024 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at Hennessy-Bagnoli-Moore Funeral Home, 936 North Main Street, Akron, Ohio 44310. A Funeral Service will be 11:00 am, following the visitation at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Akron, Ohio.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Anthony's School, 83 Mosser Place, Akron, OH 44310, in memory of Beatrice Bavaro.