Concetta Tortorice

Concetta Maceo Tortorice, 98, of Beaumont died Tuesday, December 18, 2018.  The oldest daughter of Rosario and Josephine Maceo, she was born July 28, 1920, in New Orleans, Louisiana. She spent the first five years of her life with her parents and the extended Maceo family in a three-story apartment that Vincent Maceo, her grandfather, owned on the corner of Royal and Dumaine Streets.

At the age of 5 she moved to Galveston, Texas, with her parents and two years later to Beaumont, Texas, where she resided until her death. Concetta was married to the late Jake Tortorice, for seventy-two years and together they had five children. She was diligent in passing on the love of God, love of Church, value of life and the importance of education in the lives of her children and grandchildren.  

She is survived by her sister, Olivia “Dimples” Messina, who was her faithful companion throughout her illness; daughter, Rosanne Brady and her husband, Al; sons, Sam J. (Buddy) Tortorice and his wife, Debbie; Rosario Charles (R.C.) Tortorice and Lori Verde; Jake Tortorice, Jr. and his wife, Mary; and Anthony S.F.(Tony) Tortorice and his wife, Kathy; thirteen grandchildren, Alfred B. (Trey) Brady III and his wife, Katherine; Patrick Joseph Brady and his wife, Tana; Jay Scott Brady; Kimberly June Hochman and her husband, Jay; John Michael Tortorice and his wife, Debbie; Rosario Charles (R.C.) Tortorice, Jr. and Rachael Gatenby; Christopher Tony Tortorice and his wife, Melissa; Jake Tortorice III and his wife, Amber; Josh Tortorice and wife Patricia, Jude Tortorice and wife Beverly, Jeremy Joesph Tortorice, Maria Baker and her husband, Wes; and Anthony S. Tortorice, Jr. and his wife, Ashley; twenty great-grandchildren; and countless nieces, nephews, and Godchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jake Tortorice; her parents, Rosario and Josephine Maceo; sisters, Sylvina “Luce” Parigi and Theresa Giglio.

An excellent cook, Concetta always enjoyed cooking without a book. She fed her own children and many, many friends of her children.  For years she prepared a 4-course meal at noon with her faithful assistant, Elmira Johnson, by her side.  An avid card player, Concetta played bridge and poker for many years with her friends and was always up for a card game with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Traveling was special to Concetta and she considered herself to be very blessed to have made so many pilgrimages and visits to holy sites all over the world.  She instilled a love of travel in her children and always encouraged them to take every opportunity available to learn through travel.  

A gathering of Mrs. Tortorice’s family and friends will begin at 5:00 p.m., with a Christian Vigil to follow at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 20, 2018, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m., Friday, December 21, 2018, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with a private burial to follow.

The family would like to express their thanks to Versie Owens, Lucille Miller, Irma Barbosa, Cristy Burnham, Martha Jackson, Deborah Brown, Jovie Flynn, Alicia Gaines and Kindred Hospice.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St Anne Catholic School Scholarship Fund, 375 North 11th Beaumont, Texas 77702 or to Jake and Concetta Tortorice Scholarship Fund, c/o St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School, 850 Forsythe, Beaumont, Texas 77701.