Beth - Mary Elizabeth Bacani

LIBERTY TWP. - Beth Bacani, (nee Mary Elizabeth Fitzpatrick), age 81, passed away after a brief ailment, at her home on Tuesday, June 27th surrounded by her family and close friends.

Beth was born in Youngstown on Tuesday, October 28, 1941 and raised in Sharon, PA.  She graduated from the Youngstown Hospital Association (YHA) School of Nursing in 1965.

After a brief stint at nursing practice, she immersed herself into raising her three children and became actively involved in activities of various programs benefiting the community, for most of which were the Mahoning County Medical Society Auxiliary and the Tri-County Kidney Foundation, from the 1980’s to the 1990’s.

In recognition of her tireless and imaginative efforts at fundraising for the medical community programs of the Mahoning County Medical Auxiliary, she was voted the ‘YWCA Woman of the Year’ in 1983. Furthermore, she was elected President of the Mahoning County Medical Society Auxiliary in 1989.

She has been an active member and officer of the Daisy Dozen Garden Club since the early 1980’s until lately.

The Monday Book Review Club was also part of her early focus of activity and organization.  She was instrumental in the invitation of notable speakers for the club. 

An early officer and member of the Tuesday Evening Dance Club, she was also instrumental in helping unite the competing dance clubs into one organization, The Dance Club.

She has been a member of the Mahoning Valley Watercolor Society since 2013.

In the late 1980’s she worked as a realtor for Northern Hills, and later, for the Burgan Real Estate company in the 1990’s.

Beth had a love of life which she infused into diverse pursuits and activities.  Among these, were the following:

Building and decorating dollhouses for fundraising, enthusiastically joined by her colleagues of the Medical Auxiliary. 

Organizing unique fundraisers like the “Mr. 10 Contest”, featuring prominent members of the community. 

Hosting excursions to Chautauqua Institution with invited friends, to participate in the entertainment, educational, and artistic activities of the institution.

Painting – her watercolor paintings have delighted and adorned many a home of her good friends and children.

Dancing – never one to leave a dull moment alone, not many a party with a band playing, ever passed the evening without her initiating the ‘Electric Slide’ or the ‘Macarena’ ~ inspiring others to join in, enthusiastically.

Interior Design – she bought old homes, renovated and rented them (often at a loss) to college students and young doctor trainees.

Beth had a love for animals, especially dogs and cats.  She had a lifelong string of dog pairs – mostly Siberian Huskies, she named Wolfie and Ditto (a look-alike), Sarge and Pepper to name some. And white cats – Snowy, and two siblings, Sugar and Spike.  She had unique and heartwarming stories to tell of each of them.

She loved to host memorable parties for friends and their families at the Bacani home. For a stretch of time, she held them twice yearly. In Spring and at Christmas time. Many of the family friends’ children, now adults, still speak fondly of them.

Beth is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Roberto Bacani whom she married June 30, 1965, and their three children: Dante Bacani, Cynda Bacani Brainard, Robert Bacani and her two grandchildren whom she adored, Lily and Wilson Brainard.

She also leaves behind her cousin Maureen Tyillian, husband Kearney and their children, Todd Tyillian and Tammy Tyillian McDill. She is predeceased by her mother, Mary Graham and stepfather Edward Graham.  Lastly, she leaves behind her Siberian Husky, Shane, who was her beloved companion.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Tri-County (Eastern Region) Kidney Foundation, 4822 Market Street Suite 240, Youngstown, Ohio 44512/email www.kidneyfund.org or the Mahoning Valley Watercolor Society, c/o John Schlabaugh 134 N. Main St., Poland, Ohio 44514

The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, July 8, 2023 in St. Edward Church, 240 Tod Lane, Youngstown, Ohio 44504 from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm immediately followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Reverend Monsignor Robert Siffrin.

Thoughts and condolences may be sent to the funeral home website www.mccaulyfuneral.com

Arrangements by The McCauley Funeral Home privileged to serve the valley for more than 121 years

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