Beatrice ‘Bee Kella’ Formickella, Port Jefferson Resident, Businesswoman Dies

Know for her spark, beauty, business sense and great conversations, Beatrice Formickella died on Saturday at her home in Port Jefferson, according to people who knew her locally and an online obituary.

Formickella – also known as “Bee Kella” to some – was a community business leader. She was the owner of Drowned Meadow Real Estate on Main Street and a 30-year member of the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce. Formickella spent 18 years as the Chamber’s president, a feat unmatched by anyone else, according to Barbara Ransome, the organization’s director of operations.

“She was the longest running president,” she said by phone Tuesday morning.

Ransome also said that Formickella was instrumental in securing the historic Roe House building on West Broadway for the Chamber as its main office.

Formickella lived on Main Street in the village, according to Ransome.

“Beatrice had a flair for fashion, a predilection for poodles, and a deep concern for her community,” reads her obituary. “For over forty years Bea donned a colorful assortment of hats as she owned and operated Drowned Meadow Real Estate on Main Street in Port Jefferson.”

She was also reportedly a Stony Brook University Trustee at one time.

Operation of her business was transferred to her sister Rosemary and is now running under a slightly different name said Ransome. It is now known as The Meadow Agency something that had been arranged before Formickella’s death.

Visitation will be Wednesday and Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7  to 9 p.m. at Casimir Funeral Home in Port Jefferson Station. A funeral mass will be held on Friday morning at Infant Jesus Church in Port Jefferson. She will be interned at Cedar Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts sent to Save-A-Pet and Good Shepherd Hospice.

In the photo accompanying this story, Bee Kella (second from right) is shown sitting with Port Jefferson village officials in a photo from 1968. The image was taken from the Port Jefferson Village historical archives.

Did you know Bee Kella? Share your memories with us in the comments below.