Bessie Mathena Sacco, age 82, passed away January 20, 2016 at her home.
Bessie was one of two daughters born to Elmer and Clara Giles Mathena in Price, Utah on February 23, 1933.
On November 29, 1952 she married Rudolph “Rudy” Sacco, Sr. in Helper, Utah; he preceded her in death on February 5, 1997.
From an earlier age, Mom learned to care for others, which she did her entire life. She not only cared for her nine children, two nephews, but helped raise their friends and all the neighbor kids as well. She cared for her diabetic brother-in-law, giving him his shots for several decades, twice a day. She did all the shopping for her single brother-in-laws, as well as her own big family. When dad became ill, she tenderly and patiently cared for him. She would taxi loved ones to appointments, both locally and over the mountain. She even started working to support the family during dad's illness. She never cooked for a few, it was always dozens. Never missed supporting her kids and grandchildren in their activities. We often wondered when she slept, because she was up when we got up and up when we went to bed. She was always her kids/grand-kids biggest fan. She taught all her kids how to work hard by example, always nurtured the best qualities of others, and had unwavering faith through all the bumps of life.
Survivors include her six sons and two daughters, Rex Sacco, Carbonville, Vic (Frankie) Sacco, Price, Rudy Sacco, Jr., Joe (Billie) Sacco, both of Spring Glen, Janet Sacco, Cleveland, Ross (Jayme) Sacco, Erda, UT, Jeana (Cal) Jensen, Cleveland, Albert Sacco (Glori Allen), Spring Glen; son-in-law, Shelby Durfee, Price; 14 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren.
Bessie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Rudy Sacco, Sr.; sister, Terry Jerich; daughter, Linda Durfee; daughter-in-law, Debbie Sacco; granddaughters, Heidi Grange and Bridget Tullio.
Funeral Mass Saturday, January 23, 2016, 11:00 a.m., St. Anthony Catholic Church. Vigil service Friday evening 6:00 p.m., at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Family will be at the church Friday and Saturday one hour prior to services. Committal service, Mt. View Cemetery, Helper. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home where friends are welcome to share memories of Bessie at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net. In lieu of flowers family suggests donations to St. Anthony Catholic Church, 5 South Main, Helper.