Bess Ratcliff Obituary (2021) – Green, OH

) Bess Ratcliff passed away peacefully on August 29th, 2021 while surrounded by her loving family. Bess was born in Akron, Ohio to Natale and Mary Musarra where she was the youngest of three children. Her brothers were Russ and Louie Musarra. Bess was a devoted wife of 69 years to Phil and was a loving, caring mother to Phyllis and Terry. She has two grandchildren whom she loved dearly, as well as six great-grandchildren who were the center of her heart. Bess and Phil would havebeen married for 70 years this September. As a couple, they loved to dance and in their younger days they loved to Jitterbug. In her earlier days, Bess was very proud of the beauty shop that she owned in downtown Akron called Lowe’s Beauty Shop. After working in the beauty shop she spent many years taking care of children that she would claim to this day as being one of her own. She spent countless hours with her friends at the Son’s of Italy where she attended many Christmas Parties, worked several festivals, and volunteered any time she was needed. She made friends through the Son’s of Italy who became like family to her. Bess was also devoted to other organizations such as Young at Heart and Ladies Guild of Queen of Heaven where she was a part of the Friday Fish Fry, as well as the Tallmadge Primetimers. Even after the passing of her husband she still found time to be a part of the Polio Club. Bess will be forever remembered by many things but mostly for the way she loved her family. She never missed an opportunity to show her love for them. One specific thing that Bess was known for was her delicious Sicilian cooking. She made the best meals for family and friends and if you went home hungry it was of no fault but your own. Bess had the opportunity to spend several vacations with her family and looked forward to them every year. She loved Houghton Lake the best because she could enjoy the peacefulness of the lake and the quiet nights. A running joke that her family had with her was that she was nicknamed “Mrs. Doolittle” because of her love for animals. She made the squirrels peanut butter toast, fed the birds daily, and left out snacks for other critters. Of all the animals she loved, deer were her most favorite. On the vacations to Houghton Lake it was always a necessity to jump in the van, find the “deer field” and open the doors as we would look at all the deer. In addition to her love for animals she also loved to play cards and Bingo with her husband and friends, and visit the casino with her daughter Phyllis and Son in Law, Neil. She was a devoted church goer with her daughter Terry where they would attend church and go to dinner together. Bess is preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Phillip Ratcliff, her parents Natale and Mary Musarra, and two brothers Russ and Louie Musarra. She is survived by her two daughters Phyllis (Neil) Dinkins, and Terry Thomas, grandchildren Chris (Heather) Dinkins, Leann (Stevie) Lutz, great grandchildren Jacob, Nathan, Richie, Layla, Sydney, and Stevie. The family will receive friends Friday, September 3, 2021 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Anthony Funeral Home of Green, 4178 Massillon Rd. (corner of Massillon and Steese Roads in Green, entrance off Steese) where a Sons of Italy service will be held at 7:45 p.m. A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 1800 Steese Rd., Uniontown OH 44685. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. Donations may be made to Queen of Heaven Catholic Church.