Bess Katherine Caradonna

Bess Caradonna, also known as "Nonna", passed away on Saturday, August 15, 2015, surrounded by her loving family. Bess went home to be with the Lord, where she joined her beloved husband Lou; her son Michael; and other family members.

Bess was born on May 7, 1926, to Percy and Carrie March in Chicago, IL.

In 1946, she married Lou, and started their family. They moved from Illinois to California in the early 1950's, where life really took off.

She raised four beautiful children, and owned and operated two businesses, Bess' Antiques, followed by Beautiwood Unfinished Furniture, until 2015. She was the original "Do-It-Yourselfer." There wasn't a wall she couldn't knock down, if that's what she wanted to do. If she wanted to buy a home or building, she found a way to do it.

She loved with a pure heart, a generous spirit, and always with the best of intentions. If you were Bess' friend, you had a friend for life. She was truly an amazing person.

Nonna is survived by her daughter, Karen Mansfield and her husband Johnny; sons, Greg Caradonna and his wife Wanda and Joe Caradonna and his wife Julie; 14 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Monday, August 24, 2015, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

With great honor, Bess' family would like to extend an invitation to all family and friends to join them in a

Celebration of her Life at New Hope Community Church in Clovis, CA, on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 11:00 a.m.