Beatrice Mary Elia

Beatrice Mary Elia, 82, passed away on February 3, 2015 at her home in Walla Walla.

A lifelong resident, she was born in Walla Walla to Jack and Regina Regalia in a snowstorm on March 9, 1932. She grew up and worked for many years alongside her parents on the family farm on York Avenue.
She attended Davis Public School in College Place. In 1950, she graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in Walla Walla. In high school, she was a member of the National Honor Society. After high school, she was employed by J.J. Newberry and J.C. Penney. On October 15, 1953 she married Bennie Elia. After his two years in the service, they returned to Walla Walla where they lovingly and generously raised their two sons and were happily married for 44 years until Bennie’s death in 1997.

Like her mother, she was an accomplished sewer and crewel embroidery worker.

She was a lifelong member of St. Francis Parish, where she was an active member of St. Ann’s Altar Society for many years. She was also a member of the Walla Walla Italian Heritage Association and Catholic Daughters of America. She also did volunteer work for Camp Amanda. In her later years, she was employed at Suzanne’s gift shop.

She spent many faithful years as a member of the St. Mary Medical Center Service League, serving on the board and working in the gift shop.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and an infant daughter, Debra Ann. She is survived by her sons, Craig Elia of Walla Walla and Scott Elia of Seattle, her daughter-in-law, Joisan Elia of Walla Walla, her grandson, Anthony Elia of Walla Walla, and her granddaughter, Rachel Elia of Kennewick.

The Funeral Service will be held at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla on Thursday, February 12, 2015 at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers and as a tribute to mom, memorial donations in her name may be made to St. Mary Medical Center Service League, Catholic Daughters of America, or Walla Walla Community Hospice through the funeral home.