Beatrice A. "Bea" DeSimone

Beatrice “Bea” (Sousa) DeSimone was born in Methuen on March 9, 1927 to Manuel and Palmeda Sousa.  Bea passed away peacefully on March 4, 2020 after a brief illness at the age of 92, with her beloved daughters by her side.  She was raised in Methuen, MA, graduated from Searles High School and went on to receive her degree from Bryant McIntosh Business School.

 In her early years she was employed at Lawrence Maid Footwear as a bookkeeper and telephone operator – she went on to become their “Star Shoe Model” due to her perfect size 4B foot.  In 1978 she moved to Colorado Springs, CO with her husband, Bo, where she lived for 8 years and worked at “The Boutique” selling designer clothing.  In 1986 she and Bo moved to the West Coast of Florida where they enjoyed the remainder of their lives together in the sun.  Ever the worker “Bea”, she embarked on a new career in the admissions department at Blake Hospital in Bradenton, FL , where she was employed for  15 years-until the age of 75.

Bea and Bo enjoyed their time together in Florida dancing, visiting beaches, entertaining friends and attending “Happy Hours” at their favorite nightspots. She became Bo’s caretaker and nurse when he became ill until his passing in May of 2005.  Soon after that, Bea returned to Methuen to be near her daughters and their families.  She and her sister, Irene Simoes, enjoyed many outings together shopping at Christmas Tree Shop and frequenting their favorite restaurant, T-Bones. In her final years, Bea resided at Marguerite House in Lawrence.  She felt very much a part of the “family” there and was well cared for by the loving staff.

Bea enjoyed travelling anywhere and everywhere, but especially to Las Vegas!  She loved gambling, Bingo, Scrabble, watching Wheel of Fortune, and sipping her Cosmopolitans!  But more than anything Bea LOVED life and her family. She lived life to the fullest with such a positive, upbeat outlook and wonderful (sometimes sarcastic) sense of humor.  She cherished her time spent with her children, Richard DeSimone and his wife Donna of Ellenton, FL, Gaile and her husband Craig Wlodyka of Hampton, NH and Jayne and her husband Paul Cardone of Methuen, MA.  She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Nicholas, Jamie, Ryan, Deana, Amanda, Lauren and Jaymeson and her beloved great grandchildren, Makenzie, Owen, Zoe, Conrad, Wade and Veronica.

Bea was pre-deceased by the love of her life, Armand “Bo” DeSimone, her brothers Thomas and Manuel Sousa, and her beloved sister Irene Simoes.  She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.

Bea left an imprint on the lives of everyone she met and will be deeply missed by all, especially her family. At the request of the family there will be a private celebration of her beautiful life in lieu of public services.  To leave an online condolence, please visit Bea’s tribute page at www.dewhirstbolesfuneral.com

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