Bea Sebastian entered her heavenly home and danced once more with her “Lovey” Paul on Friday, January 15, 2021, at the age of 87.
In recent years, dementia may have stolen many things from Bea, but she retained her ability to pray, and to deeply love her children, grandchildren, extended family, and dear friends in myriad ways. Her journey to the rainbow’s end will not be measured by what she could no longer do; it will be measured by those things that made her smile—faces of loved ones and caregivers, Frank Sinatra’s voice, crowded birdfeeders, convertible rides on a sunny day, and Kohl’s Cash.
Bea was born in Milwaukee and grew up on 43rd Street, where her surrounding neighbors were five aunts and a grandmother, providing Bea constant love of family and a multitude of cousins who shaped her most treasured memories and with whom she remained close throughout her lifetime. Bea graduated from Notre Dame High School and enjoyed her work in banking prior to meeting the love of her life, Paul, at a Badger game. They were united in marriage at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Milwaukee in 1959 and in the years that followed, adopted their son, Tom, and daughter, Mary.
When Paul’s employment with Jockey required them to relocate, Bea pursued interests and activities that enabled her to invest in the Kenosha community. During a time in our nation’s history when many young men were drafted into military service, Bea volunteered her time as a hostess for the KYF Servicemen’s Center to welcome sailors from Great Lakes Naval Base. She and Paul also offered a taste of home by inviting sailors over for pizza and Packer games (with the condition that all attendees cheer for the Packers). Bea also loved her St. Therese Parish family, with whom she volunteered for Bingo Wednesdays, summer parish festivals, Christian Mothers activities, and countless events and service projects. In retirement, when she and Paul became Florida residents, Bea volunteered with the Collier County Public Library in Marco Island, and was instrumental in fundraising for Friends of the Library, a nonprofit aimed at improving literacy in southern Florida. Her other lifelong interests included fishing, gardening, mahjong, dancing, reading, and traveling.
Together, Bea and Paul spent a lifetime uplifting others, and their collective embrace was wide and unceasing. They welcomed friends and family to their cottage in Prairie du Chien, WI, for adventures that often included fishing for bass and bluegill, playing cards, walking at Wyalusing State Park, touring the Villa Louis Estate, campfires, Pete’s burgers, and the capture of stray bats that had somehow ended up inside. For nearly thirty years, Bea and Paul also hosted visitors at their beloved Marco Island home and curated priceless memories in a special place they referred to as “paradise.”
Left to carry on Bea’s legacy of joy and generosity are her children, Tom Sebastian and Mary (Jim) Santarelli; grandchildren: Mia, Annie, and Jimmy Santarelli; Angela and Gina Sebastian; and honorary family members: JoAnn (Mike), Sean (Trish & Natalie), and Alan (Yoli & Sophia) Neal; Jeff Barwick, and Maria Sauer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Marie Talsky; siblings, Richard (Dolores), Cecilia (William), Marie (Marv), and Gilbert; honorary granddaughter, Jessica Neal; and beloved friends and relatives whom she dearly missed.
Bea’s family would like to extend a special thank you to all the people who loved her and provided exceptional compassionate care, particularly in the past three years—her son-in-law and family physician, Dr. Jim Santarelli, who possessed the uncanny ability to light up her world; Janneane Sturino & Heather Keckeisen; and Bea’s angels on earth—Sam, Lynn, Janet, Sally, Dora, Sarah, Leeanna, and Sandy.
A celebration of Bea’s life will be held at a later date, when it is safe to gather.
In lieu of flowers or memorial contributions, find someone to bless through a random act of kindness in honor of Bea.
