Concetta Marie “Connie” Bevilacqua Citrano, age 92 of Beaumont, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2015, surrounded by her loving family. Connie was born February 25, 1923, in Port Arthur, Texas, to Salvatore “Sam” Bevilacqua and Antonina “Lena” Messina Bevilacqua who immigrated from Cefalu, Italy to the United States for a greater opportunity of life and better education for their children.

At age 5, her family moved to Beaumont where Connie attended Beaumont public schools and graduated from Beaumont High School in 1940.  From 1941 until 1948, Connie co-owned C&C Grocery Store with her brothers Joe “Professor”, Vincent “Spike” Bevilacqua and her sisters, Camile Bevilacqua and Margaret “Maggie” Bonura. On April 20, 1947, Connie married the love of her life, Sam Citrano, Jr. and became a devoted wife and homemaker for 56 years. Connie and Sam were blessed with 2 daughters and 3 sons.

Concetta was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend who gave selflessly of herself.  She lived a full life and blessed her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with unconditional love and patience. Her greatest strengths were her Catholic faith, love of family, saying the rosary and attending daily Mass. Her passion was her faith in God and her tireless desire to pray for the well being of family and friends when in need. Some of her personal pleasures were dancing with Sam, cooking for her family and friends, especially holiday celebrations and Sunday dinners. Some of her happiest times were spent playing cards and tripoley with friends, day trips to the casino with Sam and Carl Tangredi, working on the many Saint Joseph Altars throughout the years and attending school or sporting events of her children and grandchildren. Concetta was full of love, kindness and compassion; this sweet and gentle soul was affectionately addressed by many nicknames and will always be remembered as Connie, Conche, Mama, Mom, Mother, Mommy, Bootsie, Mooty, Ganny, Aunt Concetta, Aunt Connie, Aunt Conche.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Salvatore “Sam” and Antonina “Lena” Messina Bevilacqua; her husband, Sam Citrano, Jr.; brothers, Joe Bevilacqua and his wife, Josephine; Charlie Bevilacqua and his wife, Pearl; Vincent Bevilacqua; and sisters, Camile Bevilacqua; Margaret Bonura and her husband, Lawrence; sisters-in-law, Patricia Bevilacqua, Gloria Westfall and Bobbe Citrano; and brothers–in-law, Chuck Westfall and Milton Citrano.

Concetta is survived by her daughters, Carol Ann Chirafis and husband, Donnie, of Beaumont; Donna Tolson and husband, Larry, of Dallas; her sons, Sammy Citrano III and wife, Delonda, of Waco; Dr. Ronald Citrano and wife, Georgia, of Bridge City; and Donald Citrano and wife, Valerie, of Waco; brother, Sam Bevilacqua, Jr. of Beaumont; sister-in-law, Dorothy Bevilacqua of Groves; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marge and Hank Dudka of Lynn Haven, Florida.

Her grandchildren, Kevin Chirafis, Jennie and Rob Logan, Casey and Andrew Aiken, Thomas Tolson, Kyle and Kayla Citrano, Ryan Citrano and Cody Citrano; great-grandchildren, Harper and Beckham Logan and soon to come Emery Clare Citrano; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who cherished the presence of Connie in their lives.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Christian Vigil to celebrate Concetta’s life at 6:00 p.m., Monday, December 14, 2015, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 15, 2015, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont, with Very Reverend Joseph P. Daleo officiating. Her interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont. A reception of her family and friends will follow the interment at St. Jude’s in Culotta Hall.

Memorial contributions to help the needy may be made to Some Other Place, P.O. Box 843, Beaumont, Texas 77704 or St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys, Beaumont, Texas 77706.

The family wishes a sincere thank you for the care given to Concetta by Versie Owens, Bobbie Williams, Joje Frantz, Margaret Baltimore and Pauline Richardson.  Her earth angels referred to Connie as the “praying lady”. A special thank you to the staff at Professional Health Care for home health and hospice services and Dr. Jeremy Huff.

Concetta’s expression of love and devotion was the foundation of our family. She will always be missed and loved by her family and friends, who are at peace because Connie brought love and joy to everyone around her with her cheerful smile to the very end. We will always hold her dear to us in spirit and be thankful for the time we shared with Mama. AMEN