Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Shirley Bellew Obituary
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Shirley Bellew
Kathy Wood
August 24, 2008
Shirley:
I am so sad that you will not be on this earth any more. I have depended on you through the years to give me strength and wisdom through all my trials and heartaches. You were there for me in 1973 when I was in a terrible car accident. You nursed me back to health and treated me like a daughter. You were always cheerful and positive and so very compassionate. Next to my own Mother and Grandmother I respected you the most. Since then, we have talked for hours on the phone and even though we lived so far apart I knew you would always be there for me. I will miss your wisdom and the long talks and knowing that you were there. As we all age and get older ourselves we are losing some of our most precious people and it is sad. I thank you for all your kindnesses, your unlimited energy, your understanding and knowledge of just about everything and for just being you. I'll see you in heaven and we'll get to share eternity together. Your love and encouragement will always be with me down here and for that, I am so very grateful. It was such an honor to know you. I love you.
Kathy
Anna Daley
August 2, 2008
I would like to thank everyone who has signed this book and everyone who came to my mother's wake and funeral mass. For those who were not able to attend the mass, I would like to share the eulogy to our Mom that was said at her Mass.
I’d always hoped that the day and time would never come when I would have to be here to do this, but now that the time has come, I am privileged to speak about the life of my mother on behalf of my sister and brothers and the rest of the Bellew family.
Thank you all so much for being here today to honor our mother. Indeed it is a sad time for us in losing her from this world, but it is also a time to rejoice that she has gone on to the reward that God has prepared for her in heaven.
Our mother’s most notable qualities were her fierce loyalty to her family, her wisdom, her generosity, and her many talents.
Growing up we didn’t have a lot of money, but we all felt that we were rich because our mother made us feel that we were. She had all kinds of jobs – she did typing, she worked at the Rectory cooking meals for the priests in our parish, she stuck address labels to cards and stuffed them into envelopes, and she worked at my grandfather’s laundry – all to make extra money to provide for her family. She always provided us with clothes that she sewed herself – she made us girls our Easter dresses and coats, Christmas dresses and prom dresses. She made the boys their suit coats for Easter and she made all of us our Halloween costumes. My grandfather always said that she could squeeze a nickel so tight that she could make the Indian ride the buffalo. She was always making homemade bread, rolls and pies and cakes. All of our friends were so jealous when they came to our house and smelled the aroma of bread baking in mother’s kitchen. But she was always happy to have them come in and taught them how to make their own bread or special mini apple pie to take home. She always made sure we had the best Xmases and every Xmas our tiny living room was filled with toys. She was also a den mother when the boys were boy scouts and did arts and crafts with them each week.
My mother was a great communicator and great listener, and a remarkably wise counsel. She surprised us over and over with her balanced thoughtful advice. Whenever we went to her with a problem, she would never say we were wrong, but she would give us an opportunity to see both sides of the situation so we could sort out our feeling for ourselves. This talent also made her very good in her profession as an alcoholism counselor, which she accomplished by putting herself through college and graduating summa cum laude from U Mass Boston at the age of 42.
My mother was very giving and generous. She gave to St. Jude, St. Teresa, St. Vincent de Paul and Feed the Children – all of the organizations that helped her get through the tough times.
She loved her grandchildren with all of her heart and each one was special to her. She was so proud of their aspirations and achievements. Just in the last two months she was able to see two grandchildren graduate from high school and one get married.
Mom was not a stranger to tragedy. She suffered the loss of her parents, seven brothers and sisters, and even two of her own children. She went through lengthy personal illnesses, and finally succumbed to metastatic breast cancer. Her iron will sustained her to the end. She never used circumstances as an excuse to lose faith or give up her values. She was truly a remarkable woman.
I could go on and on with all the wonderful qualities that my mother had, but I will always remember her as being the best mother in the world. It is with the most grateful of hearts that we say “Thank you, Mom….For Everything.”
Beth Erickson
August 1, 2008
Anna, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I am sorry I couldn't be there to comfort you as you were there for me. I can see our mothers together again and their love is shining down on us all. I love you.
Beth, Roger and Brandon Erickson
August 1, 2008
Anna and family, you are all in our thoughts and prayers. We are so sorry for your loss.
Shirley 2004 w/Ans and Kristin
August 1, 2008
kristin lanctot
August 1, 2008
Mom,
Words cannot describe how important you were to me. You were such a huge part of my life. You were not only my Mom but my best friend. You were the first person I called always, good news or bad, because I knew you would know the right thing to say and your wisdom would guide me toward the right thing to do. I cant begin to imagine you, not here with me. However, I am gratefull to you for being such an inspiration. You taught me all I need to know to go on in this life and accept what we cannot change, to be successful in our careers, to love our children more than words could say, and to be positive and thankful for the family and friends we have.
I watched you overcome adversity many times. And in doing that you have taught me how to stand strong. Also, I admire your courage, your strength, and your dedication to each of us. As "keeper of the Clan" you kept us a strong family. You have touched our lives in a way that not many may have been lucky enough as us to experience. And for that I thank you. I am your biggest fan Mom. Thank you for everthing you have done and for all you have sacrificed for us. You are truly amazing woman. I will miss you more than you know.
I love you...more.
Kristin
Sharon Price
July 31, 2008
Dear Kristen and family, I'm so sorry for your loss. You've had a difficult couple of years. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Coleen Peters (McSharry)
July 30, 2008
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Your mother was a wonderful woman who was a great friend to my mother (Ruth McSharry). I have warm memories of going to your house after school when I was young. She will be missed.
Eilee Mansfield
July 30, 2008
Dear Anna and family,
I was so sorry to read of your mothers passing this morning. Please know you and your sister and brothers are in my thoughts and prayers.
Eileen Mansfield (OFD)
Maureen Johansson
July 30, 2008
I offer my deepest sympathies to the Johansson and Bellew families for the loss of such an angel in the truest sense of the word. Shirley, who was cherished by all, will forever be in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Maureen, Mary, Kim and Karl Johansson.
Joyce Lewis (McCarthy)
July 30, 2008
Anna,
I am so sorry to hear about your mother. Please accept my condolences.
Jennifer Lynch
July 30, 2008
Anna and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Let the happy memories guide you through this difficult time.
Jennifer Lynch
peggi marini
July 30, 2008
Anna, Kristen, Billy and Robert: I am so sorry for your loss. Your mother was a great woman as well as a wonderful friend to my mom (Ruth). I know how much she loved you all and this loss is huge. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Peggi
Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results
Make a Donation
in Shirley Bellew's name
Memorial Events
for Shirley Bellew
How to support Shirley's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Shirley Bellew's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
