Beverly Marie Passanisi

December 4, 1930 - September 5, 2017

Beverly Marie Passanisi, 86, died with grace on September 5th, 2017. She was the youngest child of Ivy Bini, a San Francisco native of Florentine descent, and George Obujen, a Croatian immigrant. She remained proud of her heritage throughout her lifetime and enjoyed visiting her family’s homelands in her later years. Her family resided on North Point Street in the Marina District and spent many summers in Napa and Santa Cruz where Beverly had a joyful childhood with friends and neighbors. Though she battled polio at the age of seven, she never let the experience haunt her, but rather felt one should always move forward past adversity. She attended Galileo High School and San Francisco City College, where she studied to be a medical secretary.

Beverly married Harvey Passanisi, whom she met through friends, after his return from service in the Army Corp of Engineers in 1954. They moved to the hills of San Mateo to enjoy the peace of country life. She is survived by her husband of 63 years; her daughters, Denise and her husband Miles, Cynthia and her husband Mark, and Michelle; as well as her grandchildren, who adored her, Jade, Jesse, Rachel, Brian, Matthew, Allison and Evelyn.

Beverly was a tireless advocate for her children and grandchildren. She is remembered for her insurmountable energy and the philanthropic use of her time, as well as caring for many of her relatives and friends. Her greatest joy came from hosting dinner parties, especially on holidays, and she gauged her success as a cook by how much food her guests consumed. When her children were grown, Beverly ran a successful catering business with two of her best friends. She will be sorely missed by her family, neighbors and friends.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:30am on Monday, September 18th at St. Gregory Catholic Church, 28th & Hacienda, San Mateo, CA. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Anthony’s Kitchen in San Francisco or The American Cancer Society.