Beatrice Mary ( Fattell ) Accad gently passed into eternal life on August 1, 2024, at the golden age of 94. 

Born in Paterson, New Jersey to Louis and Bessie Fattell, Beatrice was the first-born of their five children. 

After graduating St Agnes Grammar School, she attended Benedictine Academy in Paterson, where she later acted as president of the Alumnae Association.   

She went on to attend Edgewood Park Finishing School, Briarcliff Manor, New York. She often spoke of her years there with great fondness. 

During these youthful years, Beatrice developed her skill at hosting many parties at her parent's home and her vivacious personality won her many friends and admirers. 

Fluent in the Arabic language, she was able to enjoy the company of many Syrian newcomers to Paterson during its Silk City heyday. 

These skills served her well in later life where, with her loving husband Edgar, she entertained clergy and politicians alike with a natural, gracious ease. 

Her father, Louis, a well-known Paterson silk magnate, often enlisted his devoted daughter and son-in-law to entertain his business associates at their Clifton home, which they did with their warm hospitality. 

Married on June 6,1954, they began a six-week honeymoon touring Europe, Egypt and the Middle East. Upon returning, the couple set roots in Clifton, which would serve as their life-long home base. 

Their first daughter, Valerie, was born while Beatrice’s husband served overseas in the United States Military. Two years later, identical twin daughters arrived, a surprise to all! Denise and Danielle have the distinction of being born right on Beatrice’s own birthday! This led to their personalized song “Happy Birthday to you and you and you!” 

The Accad’s love for travel continued with a 1972 visit to Russia and several trips with their children on cruises and island hopping. 

Beatrice and Edgar were progressive in their thinking, enjoying homes in Clifton, the Jersey shore, and Florida. They opened their doors to family and friends alike. There was always room at Beatrice’s table, and she often offered her authentic Aleppian Arabic dishes. 

While raising three energetic daughters, Beatrice applied her personal skills as a fundraiser to the mission of St. Jude Children’s hospital, becoming an associate of Danny Thomas himself when the hospital was simply a blueprint, a prayer, and a dream.  

The fundraising began as The Teenagers March to Fight Childhood Leukemia with Beatrice serving as New Jersey’s state co-chair. This activity culminated in an evening at the Peppermint Lounge in Manhattan where the hardest working teens danced the Peppermint Twist which was performed in person by Chubby Checker himself. Bobby Rydell, a teen singing idol of the era, also appeared to congratulate the teenagers. What an exciting and unforgettable night and the beginning innumerable fundraisers to come.

She always felt it to be an honor to have done her part in helping the hospital that” Turns No Child Away “and now claims a success rate of cancer survival in children, moving it from 20% to 80%!  

A life-long parishioner of St. Ann’s Melkite Catholic church, Beatrice lent her charitable talents to a variety of church led organizations such as The Gregorians, The Aleppian Charity, and ALSAC. 

Known as a forward thinker, Beatrice and her husband invested in real estate. Buying and selling fascinated her and she enjoyed discussing the fine points of the real estate market. She and Edgar purchased the Port Murray Dairy building on Broad St in Clifton which served as the basis of their parent company BEA EQUITIES. From here, they continued to run their successful business Fashion Quilting Inc. Upon Edgar’s retirement, BEA EQUITIES went on to accommodate many thriving enterprises. 

Beatrice was the definition of elegance. After a brief stint in her father’s office, she went on to Saks Fifth Avenue’s flagship store in Manhattan as a personal gift shopper. Here, she further developed her unique sense of style. 

An entrepreneur at heart, she and her life-long friend Mrs. Joan Finn opened a one-of-a-kind shop for all things of beauty. Called the Boutique Elegante, it was located on Rt 46 in Clifton, and later at the Westmount Country Club, Woodland Park. 

A well-noted quality of Beatrice’s was her ability to light up the room wherever she went. She truly lived up to her affectionate nickname, “Queen Bea.” Always an engaging and curious conversationalist, she could intelligently discuss a wide range of topics. Her charm was her capacity to make people of all ages feel included and comfortable. After spending even a brief time with Beatrice, folks would declare their love for her! She was fun-loving and laughed easily, especially at bawdy jokes! Beatrice leaves her memory to be cherished by all who knew her. 

Surviving her are Valerie and Gary Gerardi of Towaco, Denise and Chris Wilson of Clifton, Danielle and Corey Shaker of Woodbury CT. Her beloved grandchildren, Kristen and Edward Shaker, Vincent Gerardi, and step- grandchildren, Lindsey Shaker, Steven Gerardi, and Kara Petrocelli.  Also surviving are her dear siblings, Bernadette Pastore, George Fattell, Victoria Fattell, sister-in-law Terri Accad, her wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, and her many friends.

Friends may visit with the family from 4-8 PM on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.

A 10:30 AM Funeral Service will be held at St Ann Melkite Catholic Church, 802 Rifle Camp Road, Woodland Park. (please meet directly at the church on Friday)

Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa.