The unique laugh has been silenced. Clotilda "Tillie" Bengimina, 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, January 17, 2022. She took her last breath as her daughter, Andrea, was curling her hair. A fitting end for a woman who always took pride in her appearance.

Tillie was born on March 10, 1931, in Kansas City, MO, to Peter Ribaste and Anna (Cuccia) Ribaste. She grew up in the Italian neighborhood of The North End among family and friends. After beauty school she joined her mother and they worked side-by-side at her namesake hair salon, Clotilda's, on Independence Avenue.

In April 1958, she married Tom Bengimina, because she said he was the best dancer. No two people in the world had more fun and laughs together than Tom and Tillie. They enjoyed entertaining and loved hosting parties into the wee hours of the morning. One dear St. Louis friend said, "We laughed more with them over a weekend trip than some people do in a lifetime."

And her laugh…well, it was iconic and contagious, especially when she was laughing at her Tommy's jokes.

Tillie lived the four "F's" – faith, family, friends, and fun! She grew up in Holy Rosary Catholic Church and raised her family at St. Patrick's where she started the annual tradition of the St. Joseph's Table. Never a day passed without a call or visit from one of her children or grandchildren. Everywhere she went, she was the best dressed lady in the room, always well-coiffed, forever known by Tommy as the gorgeous redhead. She will forever be one in a million! She enjoyed going out, visiting with friends and family, especially her kindergarten club.

Throughout her life, Tillie's cousins held a special place in heart. Even when she was having a bad day, if someone said, "Do you want to go to dinner?" she jumped out of her chair, got dressed and was out the door….as long as her hair was fixed. At this time, the family wishes to apologize to all the stylists who had to deal with her calls for last-minute hair appointments.

After Tom died in 2003, she continued to live with her daughter Teresa and subsequently her son Peter until she found her new family at Our Lady of Mercy.  For almost five years, she thrived and was known as a welcoming resident to all newcomers, making friends and always playing cards.

In addition to her husband, Tillie was preceded in death by her brother, John Ribaste; her son-in-law, Joseph Porrello; her daughter-in-law, Amy Bengimina; her sister-in-law Paula Ribaste and her nephew, PJ Ribaste. Tillie is survived by her six children Joanna Shawver (Kirk), Andrea Bengimina Klewicki (Phillip), Charles Bengimina, Peter Bengimina, John Bengimina and Teresa Bengimina; eight grandchildren, Tommy Bengimina, Samantha Shawver (fiancé Charlie Johnson), Mikaela Bengimina, Carly Shawver (Kyle Wadlow), Giovanna Wicks (Ashton), Angelo Porrello, Anthony Bengimina and Nicholas Bengimina; a great-grandaughter, Remi Jo; a brother, Louis Ribaste (Janice); and a sister-in-law, Frances Ribaste. She is also survived by nieces, a nephew, cousins, and too many friends to list. She was a second mother to some and the matriarch of all in our family.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 am on Friday, January 21, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 911 E. Missouri Ave, Kansas City. MO 64106. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1:00 pm. Masks are required. Inurnment will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 12, at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Our Lady of Mercy Country Home, 2115 Maturana Drive, Liberty, MO 64068-9469 ( www.ourladyofmercy.net )

The family wishes to thank everyone at Our Lady who provided her great care, love and an amazing venue for her to be the Tillie we know and love. Special thanks to Bobbi, Judy, Diann, Nancy, Laura, Tamila, Messy, Carolyn, Mary, Nicole, Janet, Qudasia, Desta, Amari, Father Kevin, and the sisters for their unwavering commitment to this spunky 90-year-old!

Somewhere in heaven, Tommy, Leo and AnnaMarie just added their final card player to the table. And the party continues….

We "love you more, dolly!"