Lydia Eva Beatty

Lydia Eva Beatty, 82, of West Palm Beach, passed away suddenly on June 23, 2025. Born on November 28, 1942, in Brooklyn, NY, she graduated from Franklin K. Lane High School in 1960. Lydia was a warm and caring mother to her daughter Donna and wife to her husband Jimmy. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family and friends. She loved to cook and host gatherings,often opening her home during the holidays to friends and neighbors who would otherwise be alone. Lydia had many happy times with her daughter going shopping together, vacationing on cruises, and watching British mystery television shows. She also enjoyed spending time with her sister Alice and their friends, having lunch and playing Bingo, as well as doing activities with the St. Rita Catholic Church Forever Young Club.

Lydia’s caring nature was evident in her volunteer work at the Palm Beach County Library System. For over 20 years, she helped at adult and children’s events, where she enjoyed interacting with library members and staff.

Lydia is survived by her loving daughter, Donna Marie Smith, sister Alice DiFruscio, nephews Neil Michael Bonavita and Mark DiFruscio, brothers-in-law Sal Bonavita and Steve DiFruscio, great-niece Sonia Bonavita, sister-in-law Sandra Koerner and beloved cat Baby Jimmy. She was preceded in death by her husband Captain James T. Beatty, mother Eva (Mastellone) Scarabino, father Frank Scarabino, sister Lucille Bonavita, father-in-law Preston Beatty, mother-in-law Madeline (Jones) Beatty, and cherished cats Preston and Fadelia.

Lydia will be fondly missed by her extended family, dear friends, goddaughter and the many acquaintances she has made over the years.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 12, at 10 am, followed by a religious ceremony at 12 pm and a committal service at 1 pm, at Dorsey – E. Earl Smith Funeral Home, 3041 Kirk Road, Lake Worth, FL 33461. Two memorial masses will be held on Sunday, August 3, and Sunday, August 10, at 7 am, at St. Rita Catholic Church, 13645 Paddock Dr., Wellington, FL 33414.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Lydia's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, www.stjude.org; and Friends of the Palm Beach County Library Association, www.pbclibrary.org.