Beatrice "Bea" Wessel's 90th birthday was joyfully celebrated among friends and family on August 23, 2015. Sadly, 2016 brought a series of illnesses and she passed away at JFK Medical Center's Haven Hospice on March 22, 2016. Her devoted family kept a constant vigil at her bedside. Born in Hudson County to her mother, Nicholena (of Netcong, NJ) and father, Jack Russo (of Foggia, Italy), she was one of 4 and is predeceased by siblings, Joseph, Frankie and Anna. She was a seamstress by trade and married Robert Wessel in 1947, at the age of 22. Together, they raised their daughter Susanne, with great love. Bea proudly became "Nanny" after welcoming her first grandchild. Bea's smile always shone brightest when she was surrounded by family and invariably included her favorite food, Italian. She was a past president of the VFW's Ladies' Auxiliary, Post 453, in Union City, and for many years enjoyed vacations in Wildwood with friends from the group. A beach lover, Bea and her husband traveled the coastline as far north as Maine and as far south as Florida. When not soaking up the sun, she enjoyed gambling in Atlantic City, was no stranger to scratch-offs and wagered her living room bets on Jeopardy amid her elephant collection (tusks up for luck). Bea and Robert lived in North Bergen for many years, before retiring to Manchester, NJ. After losing her husband, in 1999, Bea moved to Piscataway to be closer to family. She is survived by her adored daughter, Sue, and son-in-law, Henry Zanetti; grandson Robert Maroldi, and his wife, Sharon; granddaughter Stacey Maroldi; grandson, Steven Maroldi, and his fiancée, Jaime Miller; cherished great granddaughters, Carina and Victoria Maroldi; as well as devoted niece Judy Fox, and nephews Mark, Paul and Sam Napolitano. A Mass of Catholic Burial will take place on Monday, March 28, 2016 at 9:30AM at St. Matthews Church, 81 Seymour Ave, Edison, NJ. Interment immediately follows at Resurrection Cemetery, Hoes Lane and Morris Ave, Piscataway, NJ. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or JFK Medical Center's Haven Hospice, Edison, NJ. Please leave a condolence and happy memories for her family.