Bessie C. Calamia

A loving wife, mother, grandmother and aunt and a former employee of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture, where she was one of the very first female buyers, she passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at her home. She was 81, a native of Baton Rouge and a resident of Central. Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Friday, March 27, was from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visiting at St. Jean Vianney Catholic Church on Saturday, March 28, from 9 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at noon, with the Rev. Tom Ranzino, celebrant. Interment in Roselawn Memorial Park. Survived by her daughter, Geralyn C. Contini, and son-in-law, Damian Contini; three sons and daughters-in-law, Joseph Jr. and Cindy Bernier Calamia, Donnie and Marla Calamia, and Lynn and Renee Calamia; two sisters, Mary Sue Plauche and Tina Holsumback; a brother, Paul Cashio; 10 grandchildren, Christopher and wife Casey, and Jonathan Graphia, Traci, Anthony and Joseph Calamia, Donnie and Mike Calamia, Sydney and Whitney Calamia and Sharie Richard; and a great-granddaughter, Christina Graphia. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Joseph Calamia Sr.; a daughter, Baby Calamia; parents, Dominick and Angelina Cashio; and two sisters, Angelina Humble and Frances Sharpe. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Chris and Jonathan Graphia, Anthony, Joseph, Donnie and Mike Calamia. Honorary pallbearers are Alan Stablier and Johnny Calamia. To access the Internet guest book for Mrs. Calamia, go towww.2theadvocate.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.2theadvocate.com">www.2theadvocate.com, click on obituaries and click on view and sign guestbook.