South Grafton – Beatrice “Bea” (Messinese) Collette, 80, passed away peacefully at home January 11, 2024 following a long battle with Pancreatic Cancer surrounded by the family she adored.
She leaves her husband of 63 years, Robert Collette, Sr., her children Robert Collette, Jr. and his wife Becky, James Collette and his wife Linda and Steven Collette, her grandchildren Kimberly Divirgilio and her husband Michael, Kalley Mahmoud and her husband Ali, Kara Collette-Lee and her husband Andrew, Danielle Collette and Michael Collette, Ryan Collette and his wife Shannon, Nicole Noonan and her husband Michael, her great-grandchildren Bradley and Ryleigh Divirgilio and Paisley Collette, her sisters Grace Belle Isle, Sandra Brawn and Marie Belliveau and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Nicholas Messinese.
Bea was born December 20, 1943 in Worcester, daughter of the late Santa (Campanale) and Nicholas Messinese. She attended Grafton High School and was a life-long resident in town.
For many years she owned Valley Plaza Discount Liquors and also operated Collette Motors along with her husband Bob for many years.
Away from work Bea was easy to find on the golf course, trying her luck at the casino in Connecticut, along the shores of the beaches on Cape Cod, or traveling with her husband Bob to Aruba, Jamaica, Las Vegas and many others. At home she was known for cooking her signature lasagna and the holidays brought out her baking of Italian cookies for family and friends. A proud “Nana” she adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
All are welcome to gather with Bea’s family and friends Monday January 15th from 4pm to 7pm at Roney Funeral Home 152 Worcester St. N. Grafton, MA 01536. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday January 16th at 10:00am at St. James Church 89 Main St. S. Grafton, MA 01560. All attending the Funeral Mass are politely requested to go directly to church. She will then be laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery in South Grafton.
In lieu of flowers please honor Bea with a donation to support the Cancer Center at UMass Memorial at http://support.umassmemorial.org. A Book of Memories to share a memory with Bea’s family and friends is available at www.RoneyFuneralHome.com.
