Our beautiful Mother, Beatrice C. Koenneke, of Belvidere, New Jersey passed away on Sunday, June 4, 2023 at the age of 78 after a fiercely fought battle with cancer. Bea fought hard for over 18 months with the assistance of her family: Margaret (husband Mario), Elaine (husband Richard), Douglas (partner Laura), along with her four grandsons: Kyle, Ryan, Jacob and Adrian. Bea was predeceased by her loving husband, Douglas N. Koenneke, in July 2005. They had been married for 43 years.
Born in September 1944 to parents Anthony F. Caruso and Estelle Zajac Caruso in Montclair, New Jersey, Bea grew up in Verona, New Jersey where she met her husband Douglas. Bea and Doug were married on September 29, 1962 at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Verona. They raised their family in Verona on Martin Road in the home where Bea grew up. Summer was Bea’s favorite season – Bea and Doug were known to throw great clambakes and BBQs while everyone swam in the pool. Some of her children’s favorite memories are the fun times they had as a family in their pool.
While residing in Verona, Bea was actively involved in her community. She helped start the elementary school lunch program at Laning Avenue Elementary School, was a long-time Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout mother and was involved with the 4-H Club.
To be near their grandsons, Bea and Doug relocated to Belvidere in 2000. After the loss of her husband in 2005, Bea moved to Country View Village in White Township. Bea eventually became the Social Director at Country View Village and just recently retired from that position in February 2023! She had a unique gift of remembering almost everyone’s name, address, pets and birthdays. She truly cared about her neighbors in Country View Village.
Before her position as Social Director at Country View Village, Bea worked as a Contract Administrator at Hoffman LaRoche in Nutley; Accounting Administrator at Hunterdon Medical Center; Bookkeeper at Tramontin Harley Davidson; and was the Knowlton Township Clerk.
Some favorite hobbies Bea enjoyed were cooking, sewing, bowling and, most recently, playing her Toon Blast! She was known to make a great “Sunday Dinner” (spaghetti, meatballs and her delicious meat sauce) and her grandsons raved about her Thanksgiving Day stuffing! Birthday meals at Mom’s house was a favorite family tradition. Bea was a member of the Women’s International Bowling Congress and travelled with her teammates throughout the United States. She enjoyed many years of Women’s Adult Volleyball in Verona and was always up to challenge anyone to a competitive game of pool volleyball. Strategic backgammon games were played after almost every meal at Nana’s house.
Bea had a life-long affection for dogs (having raised 12 dogs throughout her lifetime) and would happily volunteer to doggy-sit for all her furry grandchildren, including her neighbor Lukie!
Mom/Nana: You gave us all a million years of memories, traditions and love. We already miss you terribly. You were a warrior in this fight and continued battling it for us, despite the exhaustion and pain. You fought to the end with dignity and courage. You are now our angel, watching over the BEAutiful family you created. We all love you so very much.
Family and friends may pay their respects on Thursday June 8, 2023 from 4-7 PM at the Warren Hills Memorial Home. 234 W. Washington Ave. Washington, NJ 07882. A funeral service celebrating Beatrice’s life will be held on Friday June 9, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Belvidere Cemetery
In lieu of flowers, our family requests donations in memory of our Mom to: New Jersey Schnauzer Rescue Network (njsrn.org – 732.920.8242), P.O. Box 36, Fanwood, NJ 07023 ([email protected]).
“I’m in pieces, it’s tearing me up,
but I know a heart that’s broke is a heart that’s been loved.”
Supermarket Flowers, Ed Sheeran
