Beatrice Claudia Hanratty

1939 - 2025

Beatrice Claudia Hanratty
July 7, 1939 - January 10, 2025
Beatrice (Bea) Hanratty passed away peacefully with her family by her side on January 10, 2025 in Sonoma, CA. Bea was born in Porterville, CA on July 7, 1939 to Alvin and Dolores Ramirez. The oldest of six, she was raised on her family's citrus ranch in Success Valley outside Porterville where she enjoyed participating in 4-H, riding horses, and setting-out on fun adventures with her brothers, sisters and many cousins and childhood friends who visited the family at the ranch. Bea graduated from Porterville High School and later moved to San Francisco, CA where she met her beloved husband of 60-years Harry Thomas Hanratty Jr. and welcomed into the fold of his extensive Irish family.
After buying their first home in Redwood City on the S.F. Peninsula, the couple moved their young family to Sonoma, CA in 1969 where they raised their three daughters and became active community members. Bea later earned her Bachelor's degree and California K-12 teaching credentials at Sonoma State University, and enjoyed a long career as a teacher with the Sonoma Valley Unified School District. She also tenured for a period of time at the elementary school she attended as a child Citrus South Tule in Porterville.
An accomplished tennis player, Bea was a longtime member of the Sonoma Valley Tennis Association. She was an active member of numerous Sonoma Valley-based clubs and community service organizations including the Sonoma Valley Women's Club, Native Daughters of the Golden West and Sonoma Moose. Bea was a food delivery volunteer for Meals on Wheels, an enthusiastic chaperone for all three of her daughters' class field trips at St Francis Solano Catholic School, a Sonoma Sea Dragons swim team mom. She loved camping, especially with their RV group, playing bocce with friends at Depot Park, traveling, shopping at local businesses, large family reunions (both sides of the family), sewing, painting, playing 'tour guide' to visiting friends and family – Bea was always happiest when she was surrounded by family.
Bea is preceded in death by her parents; sisters Alice Guerreiro and Deanna Wheeler, and brother Alvin Ramirez Jr.; nephews Jeffrey and Christopher Ramirez. She is survived by her husband Harry Hanratty; daughters Kate Saunders (Charles), Molly Hanratty (Pat Fasano)and Patricia Goldberg (Marc); brothers Richard Ramirez (Cindy) and Chuck Ramirez (Carla); sister in-law Linda Ramirez, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at St. Francis Solano Church on January 30 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life for family and friends in Sonoma.
Funeral Services will take place at Home of Peace Cemetery in Porterville, CA on February 1 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at Don Vino's, Porterville, for family and friends in South/Central California.
Donations to Meals on Wheels of Sonoma or Friends in Sonoma Helping (FISH) would be appreciated.