Bernadette Walz Benvegnu was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 10, 1935.  She passed away at home surrounded by loved ones on July 29, 2020.

Bea grew up in Salt Lake City, the first born of Cletus and Alma Walz.  Her close-knit family included three younger brothers, Mike, Leo and Clete, Jr.  She was the last surviving member of her family.

In 1953, Bea graduated from Judge Memorial High School where she was editor of the newsletter (B's Bulletin), an organizer for school dances, a member of the Glee Club and where she began her life-long service to others in a Catholic service organization. She graduated from the college of Saint Mary of the Wasatch in Salt Lake City majoring in education and library science.  After student-teaching, Bea decided that teaching wasn't for her, and she began working as a librarian for Sperry Corporation.

In 1959, Bea married John, the love of her life and husband of sixty years.  They began their married life moving from Oregon to California to sites where John's work as a field engineer took them before finally settling in Utah.  Bea became a stay at home mom and a devoted mother and wife.  Four of her five children (Tony, Dominic, Tom, Teresa) were born in Salt Lake City before completing the family with the arrival of their fifth child, Ann, in Chicago.  Bea was a master organizer who made sure her house was spotless while serving a home cooked meal every night so her family could eat dinner together.  When Bea rang her cowbell outside, everyone in the neighborhood knew it was time for the Benvegnu children to go home for dinner.

She worked tirelessly supporting her children whether it was carpooling, attending sporting events, helping with homework or caring for the sick.  That love and support continued as her children married and had grandchildren.  She played a major role in the lives of her grandchildren attending performances, athletic events, graduations and weddings.  As her great grandchildren were born, she was known as the "baby whisperer" who could calm a restless baby and hold him for hours.

Bea's faith, was important to her and she was a devoted member of John and Bea's long-time parish, Saint Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church where she volunteered for many years in the office.  She took great joy in attending an audience at the Vatican with Saint Pope John Paul II during a trip to Italy.

Dementia never diminished Bea's loving nature, her memory of John, or her joy when family came to visit.  She was a strong, determined, ninety pound, blue-eyed beauty who touched many lives.  She leaves behind a legacy of love and service for others.

Bernadette is survived by her loving husband, John; her children: Tony and wife Eileen, Dominic and wife Claudia, Tom and wife Sharon, Teresa, Ann and husband David; her grandchildren: Maria and husband Jarrod, Kathryn and husband Casey, Joe, Brittany, Justin and John; her great-grandchildren: James, Jacob, Cameron and Charlie.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 4th at 11 a.m. at Saint Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, 7810 Cypresswood Drive, Spring, TX 77379 followed by interment at Klein Memorial Park, 9714 FM 2920, Tomball, TX 77375.  Please note: due to the COVID-19 safety protocols in place at St. Ignatius, attendance is limited to 300.  Guests temperatures will be taken upon entry, and each guest must wear a mask.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bea's name to the Multiple Sclerosis Society ( www.nationalmsociety.org ) or NAM (Northwest Assistance Ministries, Attn: Brian Carr Chief Advancement Officer, 15555 Kuykendahl Road, Houston, TX 77090 or call Samantha Anchia 281-885-4609)

The family would like to thank Sandra Mayberry, Stacy Kmiec and all the staff at Compassionate Care/Amedisys Home Hospice for their loving care of Bea the last year of her life.

"Eternal rest grant to her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.  May her soul and the souls of all of the faithfully departed rest in peace."