Obituary of Emeline Belli
Emeline Belli
Allegany, NY Emeline Belli of Allegany passed away peacefully Saturday (May 19, 2018) at The Pines of Olean.
Born January 9, 1937 in Allegany she was the daughter of Leo and Thelma Dunham Hitchcock. On June 27, 1959 at St. John's Church in Olean she married Anthony J. "Tony" Belli who predeceased her April 15, 2010.
Emeline was a 1956 graduate of Allegany Central School and, in addition to raising a family, worked at the former Bradner's Department Store. She also worked in the cafeteria at Allegany Central School and later retired from the housekeeping department at St. Bonaventure University.
She was a member of St. Bonaventure Church where she belonged to the Catholic Daughters of America, served as a Eucharistic Minister and, along with her husband, served as a leader for the RCIA program. In 1995 she and her husband were welcomed into the Secular Franciscan Order of St. Bonaventure Church.
She was an avid bowler and enjoyed league play at the former Coral Lanes and Bowlean. She participated as a bowler and as a commentator on the radio with Bill Button for an annual tournament. She was also an avid Yankees fan and enjoyed following her two favorite players, Don Mattingly and Derek Jeter.
She always loved family time, especially camping on the weekends. She also traveled with her husband Tony and spent many winters in Florida. At home she liked watching game shows and doing word search puzzles.
Surviving are 4 children Lynn Belli of Ferdinand, IN, Leo (Terri) Belli and Mark (Debbie) Belli, both of Allegany and Steven (DeeDee) Belli of Port St. John, FL; 2 step grandchildren; 5 step great grandchildren; a sister Betty (Barrie) Glover of Crawfordville, FL and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband she was predeceased by 6 sisters Geraldine Lengvarsky, Norma Quattrone, Phyllis Muehlnickel, Janet Cornell, Gloria Wolfe and Glenda Malarae and 3 brothers Edward Hitchcock, Wayne Hitchcock and William Hitchcock.
Friends will be received on Tuesday from 2-4 & 7-9pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean. A prayer service will be held Wednesday (May 23, 2018) at 9:00am in the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 9:30am in St. Bonaventure Church. Rev. James Vacco, OFM, pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sisters of St. Benedict, 802 E. 10th St. Ferdinand, IN 47532, The Bridge at St. Bonaventure Church, the Allegany Engine Co., 188 W. Main St. Allegany, NY 14706 or to the Limestone Volunteer Fire Department, 5886 Church St. Limestone, NY 14753.
Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.
