Beatrice R. Napier

Beatrice Rose Napier went home to be with the Lord on June 8, 2026, at the age of 88. She passed away peacefully at home after a long illness, surrounded by her family and her special home health aides, Diana and Colleen, who cared for her so lovingly.

Born in the Bronx on November 13, 1937, to Florence (Calciano) and Vito Piazza, Bea’s passion throughout her life was loving and serving others wholeheartedly.

While her husband, Tony, worked as many as five jobs throughout the year to make ends meet, Bea was home caring for their five children, all under the age of five. Throughout their 52-year marriage, she devoted her life to volunteer service.

Bea worked at the family’s gymnastics school (Tony Napier’s Gymnastic School) and taught dance at Frances Cole’s School of Dance so that her four daughters could take classes. One of Bea’s most significant areas of service was with the Township of Washington Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Bea served on active duty from 1974 to 2019, responding to almost 7000 calls. If there was any event, Bea was there, leading the charge or assisting. If you needed to borrow a walker or crutches, Bea was the one to call. She later stepped back from active service to care for Tony after he was diagnosed with lung cancer. Bea served as the corps chaplain and is a Life Member.

Several times each week, Bea drove into the Bronx to serve at St. Anthony Shelter Renewal for homeless men, operated by the Franciscan Friars. Her Catholic faith was central to her life. For 20 years, she cooked for and fed the poor, cleaned the residence, and even taught self-defense classes. The men adored “Miss Bea” and eagerly awaited her visits each week.

Little Bea was a dynamo. Standing well under five feet tall and weighing only 90 pounds, she sang in her high school choir, practiced gymnastics at the local Sokol Hall, and enjoyed scuba diving. At age 43, Bea began studying karate and went on to compete and win at the state, regional, and national levels with the USA Karate Federation. After rigorous testing, she earned her second-degree black belt. Bea received numerous awards for her selfless service, including the prestigious Russ Berrie Award for NJ residents whose outstanding service and heroic acts have made a substantial impact.

Bea met her husband, Tony, at a friend’s wedding, where they were introduced because of their shared love of dance, especially Latin dancing. When Tony and Bea took to the dance floor, people stopped to watch. After their children were grown, they enjoyed traveling together to Italy, Venezuela, Panama, and islands throughout the Caribbean.

Bea is survived by her five grateful children: Bernadette (Richard) Orso, Emmanuel (Lyzette) Napier, Felicia Napier, Andrea (James) Brazofsky, and Camille (Sean) Groom; her beloved grandchildren, Kristy (Kris) Izzo, Anthony (Jenna) Beck, Rebekah Orso, Daniel Orso, Philip Orso, Nicholas Napier, Justin Napier, Sara Brazofsky, and James Brazofsky; and her cherished great-grandchildren, Riley, A.J., and Brody Beck, and Joseph and Hudson Izzo. She is also survived by her dear sister-in-law and best friend, Delores Piazza, as well as many treasured nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Anthony E. Napier, in 2015; her sister, Dolores  Bertorelli, in 2011; and her precious great-granddaughter, Regan Bea, in 2021.

Bea Napier was an extraordinary woman with a radiant smile, whose life touched everyone around her. As a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother and great-grandmother, caring sister, supportive aunt, and loyal friend, she left a legacy of love and kindness that will be remembered forever. Bea’s radiant smile, compassionate heart, and selfless service to others were hallmarks of her life. Her warmth, generosity, and unwavering devotion to those she loved will continue to inspire all who knew her.

A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, June 27th, at Boulevard Funeral Home, 1151 River Rd, New Milford, NJ, from 9 am to 12 pm, with a prayer service to follow at 12. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bea’s name to the Twp of Washington Ambulance Corps.