Beatrice C. Becce

Amazing Mom and Grandmother
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved mother, Beatrice Becce, who died peacefully in her sleep, at the Village at East Farms, in the early morning of August 6, 2023. She was a farmer's daughter and a farmer's wife.
Bea was born on September 22, 1922 in Newburgh, New York to the late Benjamin Ferguson and Cassie Crawford Ferguson. She grew up on a farm in Newburgh, NY, one of eight children. Her brothers and sisters considered her one of a kind. She was a wonderful big sister. She was a graduate of Leptondale Elementary School and of Newburgh Free Academy. She moved to Waterbury, Conn., with her good friends Evelyn and Marie in search of work during World War II.
There she met her future husband, Rocco Becce. After they married, she dedicated herself to mastering the role of a farmer's wife. She was a famously wonderful cook and could turn anything into a delicious meal. She embraced Italian cooking and learned how to transform basic ingredients into sublime creations. She made her own pasta, pizza dough and regularly transformed the bounty of the farm into wonderful meals. If Rocco brought home venison, she made a fabulous venison stew. If he brought home pumpkin flowers from the garden, she made amazing "sciesciel." There was always room at the table for company and she was known for her hospitality and generosity. No one had to call ahead, just show and be invited in to have a meal. The coffee pot was always on the stove.
She adored her children and was the kindest of mothers. She guided her family through the vicissitudes of life with grace and humor. She also took an intense interest in the well-being of her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and her many nieces and nephews, who all adored her. She engaged and listened and remembered all the little details that others forgot. She was the "google" of the family. If we needed to remember something, we would ask Mom.
She and Rocco loved square dancing and were members of Nutmeg Squares for many years. She and her sisters-in-law formed the Fine Arts Club where they gathered every Wednesday to knit, crochet and gossip. She enjoyed hours foraging for wild mushrooms. She also spent happy times motorcycle riding with Rocco. As she slowed down, she came to appreciate watching UConn women's basketball and professional golf. She was an avid reader and had an outstanding vocabulary.
She is survived by her five children, Beatrice Avcollie, Rocco Becce Jr. and wife Judy Sielski Becce, Vito Becce and wife Lenora Denzio Becce, Danny Becce and Kathy Sullivan Becce, Lucia Anne Justice and her husband John, her grandchildren Todd Avcollie, Michael Avcollie and wife Calista Young, Theodore Becce, Hallie Hannon and husband John, Cassie Becce, Chelsea Slade and husband Nathaniel, Daniel Becce and wife Melissa Drye Becce, Michele Ladd and husband Desmond, Melissa Chapman and husband Nick; and her great-grandchildren Sam Becce, Alder Young, Jenny Avcollie and Annika Avcollie-Young, Hayden Becce, Theo Becce, Jolie Becce, Mallory Hannon, Seth Hannon, Lucas Slade, Caleb Slade, Sophia Slade, Calvin Becce, Graham Becce, Skylar Ladd Arnold, Payton Ladd, Giovanni Chapman, Phoenix Chapman, and Cove Chapman. She also leaves her youngest brother George W. Ferguson and his wife Judy of Newburgh and her sister-in-law Victoria Semprini of Wallingford. She is preceded in death by her parents Benjamin and Cassie, husband Rocco, brothers Benjamin, Walter, Harold, and Charles, and by her sisters Ethel and Catherine.
The family would like to express gratitude to the many wonderful caregivers at The Village at East Farms where she spent the last ten years of her life, after she was no longer able to remain at the farmhouse.
Calling hours for Bea will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2023 from 10:00am – 12:30pm with a service from 12:30 – 1:00pm at Maiorano Funeral Home, 95 Willow St., Waterbury. Burial will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions in Beatrice's name may be made to: Habitat for Humanity, 322 W. Lamar St., Americus, GA 31709 or online at habitat.org. For additional information, to sign the online guestbook, or to leave online condolences for the family, please visit www.maioranofuneralhome.com.