Bessie Lucille Schiantarelli

Bessie Lucille Schiantarelli died on July 12, 2017 in Snohomish, WA at the age of 85.

Bessie was born on January 6, 1932 in Makawao, Maui to her parents, John Medeiros and Dora Petrochenko. She married Victor Schiantarelli Leveratto in 1953. She dedicated her life to educating and caring for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as caring for and guiding extended family members who over the years came to live with the Schiantarelli family. As her children grew up, she became a successful turnkey builder of single-residential homes before retiring. Bessie loved music, painting, sewing, cooking and entertaining. As storyteller extraordinaire, she could light up a room with her homespun wit and charm with any audience.

When diagnosed with lung cancer in March 2017, she remained dedicated to her family and in her will to fight her illness. She remained a brave, iron-willed woman, even throughout her final months.

Bessie is survived by her daughters, Vicky Schiantarelli, Susan Keating and Cathy Smiley; her sisters, Dora, Marilyn and Katie; her brother, John; her four grandchildren, Dominic Lopez, Julie Keating, Crystal Cordova and Nicholas Smiley; and her five great grandchildren, Tessa Smiley, Casey Keating, Alivia Smiley, Liam Smiley and Delilah Rose Lopez. She is preceded in death by her husband, Victor; her sisters, Jessie, Elizabeth, and Helen; and her grandchildren, Jennifer and Brian Keating.

The family would especially like to thank Maria Allen, Bessie’s residence caretaker, for her excellent work and loving care.