Bette DiGirolamo passed away quietly the morning after Easter. Her life was challenged by a multi-year journey with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). She was surrounded by her son, daughter and close friends as she left this world for her next adventure.
Bette was born in San Francisco to William W. Jr and Catherine (Rogiani)Sweet and moved to Los Altos just before high school. She graduated from Los Altos High School and enrolled in the Nursing Program at San Jose State University. It is there that she met the love of her life, Richard DiGirolamo of Monterey at a fair and party. Their romance led to a marriage of 45 years and a lifetime of memories that included their extended families. They attended Catholic Church, joined clubs and enjoyed many evenings of dancing, dinners out, concerts and trips to the casinos where Bette particularly enjoyed the slot machines. She also liked getting together with Richard’s family and visiting the Wharf, Cannery Row and other beautiful sites on the Central Coast. Bette’s favorite travel destination was Disneyland.
Richard and Bette were members of the Italian Catholic Federation. Bette held several Office Manager jobs in medical offices while raising her children. Among her favorites was the Valley Medical Center’s Neonatology Unit and volunteering with Touchstone, a program that served children with cancer. Bette loved to decorate her house for Halloween. She collected many pumpkins and candles and displayed them for months. She loved to read Freud, listen to music from popular to opera, collect Egyptian items, cheer on her beloved 49ers (especially in the Joe Montana era) and was a long-time Elvis Presley fan. A cherished highlight was attending an Elvis Concert at the Cow Palace in 1977. Her other favorite singer was Italian Tenor, Pasquale Esposito, whom she heard many times around San Jose and each September in Monterey for the Santa Rosalia/Festa Italia.
After her children were grown, Bette went back to SJSU to complete a degree in Psychology. Then she enrolled at Santa Clara University where she earned a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. For over twenty years Bette was a passionate therapist who cared deeply about her clients. Following Richard’s death (2010), Bette especially cherished the time spent with her devoted friends.
Bette was preceded in death by her parents, husband and numerous aunts, uncles and extended family members. Left to cherish her memory are her son, Christopher DiGirolamo (Catherine) of San Jose, daughter Veronica DiGirolamo (Michael Mendenhall) of Sparks, NV, grandson Anthony DiGirolamo (Sadie) of UC Davis, granddaughter, Katelyn Mendenhall of Sparks, NV and extended family members and friends.
A Rosary and Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 10:15 a.m. at St. Christopher Catholic Church, located at 2278 Booksin Ave., San Jose. Burial will follow at Gates of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, 22555 Cristo Rey Dr. in Los Altos.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Bette’s name. Mail to LLS-Silicon Valley & Monterey Bay, P.O. Box 102508, Pasadena, CA 91189-2508, or www.lls.org/donate; Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosencrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 or donate online at pancan.org; or to your favorite charity.
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