Beatrice Stavrinides
October 16, 1936 - February 10, 2023
Beatrice “Bebe” Diane Stavrinides passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, February 10, 2023, after a brief illness.
Bebe was born in San Francisco to John and Novie Garabedian. She lost her father when she was 8 years old. Bebe was involved in the restaurant business for her entire life, having grown up helping around her mother’s restaurant, the Cairo, from the time she was very young. Having the restaurant business in her blood, it was only natural that Bebe would open her own restaurant, while still running the Cairo when her mother no longer could.
La Cucina opened on Union Street on April 2, 1968, and before long was the restaurant of choice for locals and tourists alike. San Francisco dignitaries, athletes and Hollywood celebrities were consistently part of the customer base. La Cucina had a very loyal customer base, and some of those customers became lifelong friends to Bebe. She dedicated her life to running the restaurant, while never neglecting her responsibility of caring for her ailing mother and raising her 2 beautiful sons as a single parent.
In 1985, Bebe married the love of her life, Anthony Stavrinides, a man she had known for years, and they lived happily until his death in 2001. Tragedy struck in 2013, when Bebe lost her younger son, Edward, and a few short months later, her older son, John, passed away. These devastating blows were difficult for Bebe, but she endured for the sake of her family. She cherished her family above all, and nothing brought her more happiness than having her children and grandchildren together and at her side.
After 46 successful years, La Cucina closed its doors in the fall of 2014, and Bebe settled into retirement, but she never gave up her love of entertaining. Always the consummate hostess, Bebe loved to host luncheons, dinners and parties for her loved ones. She was a very proud San Francisco native, and she took pride in the fact that she had lived in the same zip code – 94123 - her entire life; she was a sports enthusiast who loyally followed the 49’ers, Giants and Warriors.
Bebe was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Anthony, her sons John and Edward, and her dear friend George Foundoulis, who was like a brother to her. She is survived by her daughterin-law, Laurie Diba, grandchildren David and Stevin, granddaughter Dina, grandson John (Melissa), great-grandchildren Marie Terry, Scarlet and Vincent Diba, her stepchildren, Jim Stavrinides (Kathleen), Elizabeth Stavrinides (Debra) and Nick Stavrinides, and step grandchildren Eli Stavrinides, Jessica Nikfar (Isaac), James Stavrinides (Shiva), great-grandchildren Victoria, Isaac and Arianna Nikfar, Leo Stavrinides. Step greatgrandson Elham Stavrinides (d. 4/15/2020) preceded her in death. She is also survived by countless friends; no one was a stranger to Bebe. Her graciousness and compassion for others will be sorely missed, as will her love of life.
Funeral mass to be held at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church on Saturday, February 25. 2320 Green Street, San Francisco.