Saint Paul-Born Spiritual Teacher Bellezza Squillace Dies in California at 79

Bellezza Jane-Louise Squillace, a Saint Paul native who went on to teach spirituality across the United States and co-found an international nonprofit, died peacefully at her home in Tehachapi, California, on September 5, 2024. According to her obituary, published September 15, she was 79.

Squillace was born in Saint Paul on April 5, 1945, the oldest of five children of Nicholas Frank Squillace and Doris Teresa Sommer. The obituary says she "lived an amazing life," and it recalls a taste for high adventure that began when she was a young mother. She attended protest rallies with toddlers alongside her, went dog sledding through Dakota winters, skied diamond trails and lake water, dove for volleyballs with a Rollerblade team, and jumped from airplanes, among other pursuits.

Her formative years were spent with her grandparents, from whom she learned about her culture and the old world tradition of Strega. She drew on that knowledge to represent her culture at Stella Nord, in the Berkana newsletter she founded, and at interreligious conferences.

In Minnesota and Wisconsin, Squillace led seasonal spiritual celebrations attended by several hundred participants. She was ordained in 1999 through the Reformed Congregation of Goddess, Intl., and afterward taught women's studies, tarot and astrology in communities around the country.

California, the obituary says, changed her life twice, because the Pacific Ocean called to her. She first moved to the northern part of the state to raise her sons and study journalism. Later she settled in Southern California to enjoy her later years, and there she co-founded the nonprofit Guardians Around The Earth. Through that organization she extended her spiritual service internationally, supporting caregivers and people living with chronic illnesses.

Squillace was preceded in death by both of her parents, her niece Amanda Berbig, cousins Sharon Kosowski and Chuck Dolney, as well as aunts, uncles and close friends.

She is survived by Marisa A. Folse; her siblings Glenn N. Squillace (Cathy), Debra S. Nordgaard (David) and Susan S. Deutsch (Jeffry); and her children, Matthew E. Tahedl and Jerrod N. Tahedl. Also surviving are her grandchildren Samantha, Baylee, Dominic, Alandra, Elise, Ava and Jake, and a great-granddaughter, Arya.

Wood Family Funeral Service is handling her care. Condolences may be shared at woodmortuary.net. No memorial events had been listed for Squillace as of the September 15 notice.