Betty Jane Porrello

Elizabeth Jane "Betty" Porrello (nee Capretta), age 91, passed away in her sleep with family at her bedside on Dec. 3.

Beloved wife of the late Raymond A. Porrello. Loving mother of Raymond Jr. (girlfriend Julie Miller), Susan Porrello Shimooka (Jeff) and Rick (Lee). Cherished grandmother of Raymond, Erica, Christian, Jade and Camille. Great-grandmother of Caius, Isla, Harper, Tilli Lou and Henley Joy. Dearest daughter of Nicola and Florence (nee Iacobucci) Capretta (both deceased). Devoted sister of the following deceased: Doris Pietrondi , Nick Capretta and James Capretta. Sister-in-law of Helen Spigutz, Pat Capretta and Roz Capretta. Aunt, cousin, and friend to many.

For many years, Betty worked as a clerk for May Company on the Heights, a department store. She made many friends there, a few of whom she had for life. With her husband and two sons well-established in the music business, Betty occasionally served as cook and dinner host for artists like Sammy Davis Jr., Count Basie, and Louie Bellson, and their bands. Later when her sons moved out, Betty said she missed the sound of them practicing the drums.

Betty spoke and laughed with cousin and dear friend Jackie Russo daily, and enjoyed visiting family members often. In her later years, she telephoned them weekly. By 2014, her husband and most of her friends and close relatives had passed. Betty developed a ritual of looking out the window daily and saying good morning and good night to them—Goodnight Ma, Goodnight Pa, Goodnight Ray, Goodnight Doris.

As Betty's health declined, she insisted on living independently in her home of forty years. She looked forward to regular visits and phone calls from her daughter Sue, and granddaughter Jade and her boyfriend Colin, to eat together and play games. By then Betty had renewed her interest in cooking. She liked to watch cooking shows on television, then experiment in her kitchen. Even in her last weeks, she enjoyed watering her tomato, basil, and parsley plants.

Interment Lake View Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to meet for Mass of Christian Burial 10 am Thursday at St Paschal Baylon Church, 5384 Wilson Mills Rd, Highland Hts, 44143.

NO FLOWERS PLEASE.

Memorial contributions suggested to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl. Memphis, TN 38105 or Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave, Cleveland, OH 44110.