Beatrice D. Torrenti, 91, of Orange, CT passed away on April 11, 2022. She was the beloved wife of the late Rocco G. Torrenti. Beatrice was born in West Haven on July 3, 1930, daughter of the late Alphonse and Theresa DeMaio.
Bea spent her life caring for her family and those in need through her nursing career, both as a visiting nurse and, ultimately, as the Director of the Orange Visiting Nurses Association for 15 years. She earned her nursing degree from the Saint Raphael’s School of Nursing after graduating second in her class from West Haven High School. She then returned to school in her forties to earn her Bachelor’s in Nursing from Sacred Heart University and then to earn Masters degrees in both Gerontology and Sociology. Her love for learning was a life-long passion and she read almost exclusively non-fiction, so she could always be acquiring new knowledge. She loved biographies, whether the person was famous or infamous; she always wanted to understand people and their unique capabilities and struggles; a quality that served her well throughout her life as a mother and nurse.
Even after retirement, Bea stayed active knitting caps for cancer patients who had lost their hair and was an active member of the Holy Infant Women’s Guild. She loved a challenging crossword puzzle or a lively political conversation. She was never short of an opinion and constantly challenged her children and grandchildren, especially when it came to grammar, her other favorite sport.
Beatrice leaves her three sons Thomas (Donna), R. Eugene (Rosanne) and John (Thea) Torrenti, all of Orange, CT and her five grandchildren, Donald Torrenti of New York City, John Torrenti (Madeline) of Norwalk, CT, Dana Kaplan (Stuart) of Saunderstown, Rhode Island, Gabriella Torrenti of Boston, MA and Daria Torrenti of Orange, CT and two great grandchildren, George and Frank Torrenti of Norwalk, CT. She is also survived by her beloved sister, Philomena LaViola of Orange, CT as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral arrangements will be private and are in the care of the West Haven Funeral Home, 662 Savin Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516. Burial will be in Orange Center Cemetery. The family would like to thank Vitas Healthcare for their care and compassion in Bea’s final hours. Contributions in her name can be made to the Sacred Heart School of Nursing at: Sacred Heart University, c/o School of Nursing Donations, 5151 Park Avenue, Fairfield, CT 06825 or www.sacredheart.edu/give.
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