Bernadetta "Bea" (Cancelmo) Socha

Bernadetta “Bea” (Cancelmo) Socha, 93, a longtime Millbury resident passed away at home, Wednesday, October 30th 2024, with loved ones gathered at her bedside. 

Bea was born on October 9, 1931 in Worcester, MA, and was the oldest of five children of Joseph and Rose (Pirozzi) Cancelmo. Bea married the love of her life, Raymond J. Socha on April 27, 1957. They spent the next 34 years dedicated to each other with faith, love and happiness, until Ray left her side on August 1, 1991 at 61 years of age.

Bea’s number one priority was her family. She leaves her beloved daughter Rosemary and wonderful son-in -law Robert Reidy, with whom she lived. Words can never express the gratitude she had for them for sharing their home with her and caring for her.

She loved with all her heart, her two grandsons and their wives; Thomas, and his wife Jennifer Reidy, and Joseph and his wife, Rachel Reidy. Her cherished great grandchildren brought such incredible joy and happiness to her life, as she was know as “Nan Bea” to Margaret Rose, Norah Celeste, Jack George and James William. The greatest and most meaningful times for her were with her family at home on holidays and especially at Cape Cod.

Her beloved sisters, Anna DesRosiers and Marie Albano were always there for her; they shared many telephone calls, wonderful conversations and a special bond. She also leaves many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and friends. Bea is predeceased by her brothers Joseph Cancelmo, Jr. , Richard Cancelmo and his wife Beverly, nephew Anthony Ferraro and great nephew Adam Huberdault.

Bea graduated from Commerce High School and worked for many years at Comfort Products in Worcester. Before she retired in 2016, she worked for 35 years at dance studios, first for her daughter’s studio and then at H and H Dance Academy in Millbury where she was lovingly known at the Studio Grandmother.

She was very proud of her Italian heritage, cooking her Italian dishes and was an accomplished baker of Italian cookies. She was an avid reader and loved music and dance. Bea was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and Our Lady of Loreto Parish.

Over the past few years, Bea received support from dedicated and kind caregivers who also became friends; Jeanne Houle, Peggy Lauria, Debbie Swenson and especially her “second daughter” Mary Ann Houle who was always there for both Bea and Rosemary over the years.

 A period of calling hours will be held Saturday, November 2nd from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St with a procession to Our Lady of Loreto Church, 37 Massasoit Rd where her celebration of christen burial Mass will be held at 1:30 pm. Burial will be private in Notre Dame Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial remembrances in her name can be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St Jude way, Memphis, TN or the Worcester Animal Rescue League, Holden Street Worcester.