Beatrice "Bea" Oakes of Hermitage passed away peacefully Monday (1-12-15) at her residence surrounded by her family following a brief illness. She was 94. Mrs. Oakes was born May 18, 1920, in Youngstown, a daughter of Mary and William Allison. She graduated from South High School in 1938 and married Raymond Oakes of Sharpsville on Sept. 21, 1942, while he was on leave from the Army. Bea worked in the corporate office of A&P grocery from the time she graduated high school until Raymond was discharged from the Army in October 1945. She and Raymond settled in Hermitage where they raised eight children. Bea's entire life focused on serving the church and her faith, her family and the community. She worked at John XXIII Home, retiring in 1985. Bea was an active and founding member of Notre Dame Church, Hermitage. She enjoyed doing volunteer work for Notre Dame, John XXIII, Mental Health Association of Mercer County, Shenango Valley Senior Center, American Cancer Society, but most of all for the American Heart Association where alone she has collected more than $22,000 for heart and stroke research. She was also the Judge of Elections and a worker at the polls for many years as well as working for The Herald as a carrier. Bea was an avid bridge player, belonging to many bridge clubs throughout years. She was an enthusiastic Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Penguins fan, and shared the exact birth date of Pope John Paul II of which she was very proud. She was affectionately known as "Grandma Bea" to many throughout the Shenango Valley. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, she is survived by: five daughters, Ella Bolt and her husband Tom, McCormick, S.C.; Patte Thornburg and her husband Bob, Hermitage; Merrilee Harris and her husband Tim, Alvin, Texas; Barbara Priest and her husband Keith, Stafford, Va.; and Nancy MacFarlane and her husband Tim, Cranberry; three sons, David Oakes and his wife Diane, Spring, Texas; Joseph Oakes and his wife Virginia, Katy, Texas; Daniel Oakes and his wife Debbie, Centennial, Colo.; 18 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death: in 2001 by her loving husband of 58 years, Raymond; five brothers, Joe; Jack; Tom; Raymond; and Wilfred Allison; and three sisters, Mary Allison; Margie Dutken; and Eileen Stouffer. The Oakes family would like to thank the staff at Garden Way Place for the dedicated and professional care Bea received while living there, and especially Laura Phillips for showing such a special and loving interest in our Mother. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Notre Dame Church 2325 Highland Road, Hermitage, PA 16148, or the American Heart Association 840 Southwestern Run Road, Youngstown, OH 44514. Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday (1-16-15) in the J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Service: Mass of Christian burial 10 a.m. Saturday (1-17-15) in Notre Dame Church with Rev. Jeffery J. Noble, pastor as the celebrant. Everyone is asked to go directly to the church Saturday morning. Interment: Morefield Cemetery, Hermitage.