Beatrice Sweeney

We’d like to share a little of the long, happy life of our mom Bea. – Maureen and Clare

Beatrice Irene MacDermott Sweeney was born on March 29, 1918, at home, 159 West 97th Street, New York City. Her parents were Michael and Johanna (nee Connell) MacDermott. The family moved to Bayonne, New Jersey in 1921 and to Jackson Heights in 1923. She attended St. Bartholomew’s School in Elmhurst and graduated in 1932. She attended Newtown High School where she lettered in sports. She graduated HS in 1936. She attended Remington Rand School of Accounting to learn the alphabetic and manual key punch, sorter, tabulator, and collator. She worked in James Butler Grocery Co. until it went bankrupt. She worked in Lerner Shops from 1936-1938 at 26th St. and 4th Ave. She worked at Accident Casualty Insurance Co. from 1938 to November 1943. She left as head of a department with seven girls under her. She got married in June 1943 to Charles A. Sweeney, Jr. Lived on Governor’s Island with Sergeant Sweeney until November 1945 (during World War II). Son Charles was born in April 1944 and daughter Maureen was born June 1945. World War II ended and the family moved to Elmhurst. Bea was a homemaker until daughter Clare (born April 1955) entered Kindergarten. Bea became Secretary and then President of St. Bartholomew’s Rosary Society (National Council Catholic Women Brooklyn Diocese); President of St. Bartholomew’s Altar Society; International Affairs Commission Chairman of Northwest Deanery. She joined Catholic Daughters of America Court Mercier #414 in 1959; moved up chairs to Vice Regent. Charter member of St. John’s Hospital Elmhurst Auxiliary; moved up chairs to President for two years.
Bea and Charlie moved to Rocky Point in 1974. She joined St. Anthony of Padua Rosary Altar Society; Secretary then President for three years. Taught CCD third grade for twenty years. Cooked on Mondays at the rectory from 1980-81. Joined Mother Marguerite Chapter of St. Charles Hospital, moving up chairs to President for two years, then elected to Coordinating Council. On St. Charles Hospital board for fifteen years as Recording Secretary. Joined Shoreham Seniors in 1979, became second Vice President. Wrote weekly Tidbits column for Suffolk County Community Journal for over thirty years. Received a religious studies certificate and a Pope Pius X medal after ten years of teaching CCD. Received medal for United Hospital Fund Award Volunteer service.
Bea had three children – Charles (deceased), Maureen, and Clare (Michael) Kelly. She has six grandchildren – Charles Kilian (Tricia), Carla, Christian (Lucia), Eileen Gorman (Matt), Denise, and Sheila Kelly; and five great grandchildren – Clara Moreau Sweeney, Charlie Ray Sweeney, Maggie May Sweeney, Lucy Johanna Sweeney, and Bridget Alice Gorman.

Clare and Shelia,

We just heard the sad news from Nicole of the loss of your beloved mother/grandmother Beatrice. We want to express our heartfelt sympathy.

Our condolences,
Margaret and Nick

Sending prayers …. Mrs. Sweaney was always a blessing to the Larney family.

I’m so very sorry for your loss. Your mother was and will always be an incredible woman and so very special. She was best friends with my grandmother and I know their life long friendship meant the world to my grandmother. Bea always made me feel special because every year without fail she would have my birthday( July 18) printed in the paper. Something small but it meant the world to both me and my grandmother. Her passing brakes my heart. She truly was a ray of sunshine and happiness. I’m happy though that she had 97 incredible years with her amazing family and now I hope she is at peace and reunited with her husband, my grandparents, my Uncle Jimmy, and my mom. And most importantly our lord and Mary.
God bless you and keep you all safe… Love always,
Christine Dillon ( A.K.A.Christy Tener; Ernestine Fleming’s granddaughter)
Arthur Dillon and my son James Mahler