Beatrice Zappulla

Beatrice (Bice Cultrera) Zappulla of Kensington passed away on May 5, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.  Bice, as she was known by her family and friends, was born in 1936 in Canicattini, Bagni, Sicily. She was the daughter of the late Vincenzo and Sebastiana (Buccheri) Cultrera.

Bea was pre-deceased by her husband Steve of over 60 years. Bea is survived by her son Robert and his wife Gina of Somers, CT and her daughter Laurie and her husband Joe Monteleone of Southington, CT.  She leaves two adoring grandchildren, Jeff and Emily Parsons, and two “bonus” grandsons, Chris and Nick Monteleone, all from Southington, CT.  She is survived by several generations of nieces and nephews who will definitely miss their “Auntie Bea”.  Bea was pre-deceased by three brothers, Giuseppe, Carmelo and Salvatore Cultrera, three sisters, Sebastiana Mallia, Lucy Genovese, and Maria Bufalino, five sisters-in law, and five brothers-in law, four nephews, and a niece.

Bea belonged to the Daughters of Canicattini Bagni Society, the Ladies of Sortino Society, the Ladies Guild of St. Paul Church, the Rosary Makers, and the Shawl Ministry of St. Paul. She was creative in so many ways; her cooking, baking, sewing and painting are some of the many things that added joy to her life and ours. Her greatest joy was being with family and friends. As a dedicated and devout parishioner, when Bea was unable to attend church she was fortunate to have Father Joe and Pam bring Mass into her home.  Thank you to Sandy, who went above and beyond as a loving neighbor. We would like to acknowledge her wonderful caregiver, Rita, who not only cared for her but became a special part of our family.   A special gratitude for her hospice nurse, Debbie Sims for her compassion for Bea and our family.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 9:00 AM at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, 111 Chamberlain Highway, Berlin, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Paul Church in Kensington. Entombment will be at St. Mary Mausoleum, St. Mary Cemetery, 1141 Stanley St. New Britain. Visiting hours will be Friday, May 10, 2024 from 4-7 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bea’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org.