Mary Elizabeth Bent-Rooney

Mary Elizabeth (Marybeth) Negro Bent-Rooney

November 9, 1925 to March 13, 2018

Our dear Marybeth, a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, cousin and friend has left us for a better place.  She was with family at the time of her passing who consoled her, shared memories, told her how much she was loved and cherished, held her hand and sang her favorite hymns.  She was a very kind and gentle soul who was very good and loving to everyone she knew. 

She is predeceased by her parents, Mario Negro and Elizabeth Boland Negro, her husband James (Jim) L. Bent, DDS and husband Henry J. Rooney, and her daughter Teri Bent. She is survived by her children MaryLee Millard (Dennis Millard), Jim Bent (Melanie Bent), and Cathy Bent McDonald, and her grandchildren Claire Bent (Matt), Conor Bent (Amy), Sean McDonald (Fiona) and her dear cousins the Charles and Jack Hart families, the Angela Peatman and Ed Brovelli families, and the Ed Zwack family.

Marybeth leaves behind a great legacy of family including step children Kathleen Comstock (Mike Comstock), Patrick Rooney (Julie Rooney) and Lisa Rooney Zarri (Phil Zarri) and grandchildren/great-grandchildren Denny Millard, Brenton Millard, Alex Millard, Madison Millard, Daniel Millard (Jane Millard), Joshua Millard and Chloe Millard, Chris Comstock (Bree, Haley, Keegan, Finn), Brian Comstock (Sarah, Will, Andrew), Kevin Comstock, Liam Zarri, Elise Zarri, Devon Rooney, Daniel Rooney.

Marybeth grew up in San Francisco and was proud to be a fourth generation Californian.  She attended St. Rose Academy and Holy Names University.  She remains friends with her classmates and their families, such a warmth of friendships and bonds that lasted for over 70 years.

She married Jim in 1949 and raised four children Teri, MaryLee, Jim and Cathy. Marybeth and Jim were married for 41 years. After Jim passed away at the age of 68 from heart disease, she married Henry with whom she enjoyed 12 years of companionship, travels throughout the world and attendance at the opera.

She was a very devout Catholic and her faith meant so much to her.  She loved going to FACE fundraisers and saying the rosary as we grew up with our neighbors, the Ashmount Avenue Rosary Association.  Holidays and gatherings with family and friends were very special to her, particularly the annual combined family summer vacations in Aptos.

Marybeth was a social worker in her early years and later worked as the office manager in Jim’s office.  Her true calling was that of a homemaker and caring for her family. She loved raising her four children, and lovingly cared for her parents and husbands when then their health was failing.

Her twilight years were spent at Cardinal Point Independent/Assisted Living Home in Alameda where she was often found playing Mahjong in the afternoons or a nickel’s poker game in the evenings or catching a movie from the 1940’s.  Her family was always nearby and she loved going out to lunch or dinner with them.

Marybeth’s family wishes to thank the Cardinal Point caregivers and staff, and her private caregiver Armina, who took wonderful care of her in her final days.

A Vigil service will be held on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at Grant Miller-John Cox Mortuary, 2850 Telegraph Ave, Oakland CA 94609. Viewing is from 6:00 PM-7:00 PM. Vigil begins at 7:00 PM.
Visit https://www.grantmillerchapel.com/tributes/Mary-Bent-Rooney to send a tribute.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at 10:00 AM at St. Barnabus Catholic Church, 1427 Sixth Street, Alameda CA 94501.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of Marybeth’s favorite charities:  Holy Names University, American Heart Association, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, or American Diabetes Association.

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