Isabelle "Belle" Kresge

1926 - 2025

Mrs. Isabelle "Belle" Kresge, age 99, of Charlotte, NC, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

Belle was born January 18, 1926 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the beloved daughter of the late James Lahey and Mary Ferguson Lahey. She graduated from St. Paul's Catholic School in Scranton at age 16 and worked for ICS before marrying the love of her life, Buck Kresge, in 1952.

Belle devoted her early married years to homemaking and raising her eight children. Once they were all in school, she went to work at Kmart and later began a career with Belk Store Services, where she was a valuable employee for many years, starting in the Credit Department and eventually working her way up to the position of Fraud Investigator before retiring after 20+ years of service. Afterward, she worked part time for many years as an Administrative Assistant at the CPA firm of Brittian, Dean & Barger before fully retiring at age 84.

Belle was also a woman of deep faith and was a devoted member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church for over 60 years, rarely missing a weekly mass or Holy Day celebration.

By far and away, Belle's greatest joy in life was always her family. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt, whose kindness touched the lives of all who knew her. Her home was always open, with an extra seat at the table and a warm bed for anyone in need. She never met a stranger and was a tireless caregiver to her own children, large extended family and their many friends, who often found a second home under her roof. She was an excellent cook, renowned for her homemade pizza, spaghetti, lasagna, baked ham, potato salad and delicious desserts. She also had a deep affection for animals, enjoyed traveling, painting, bowling, visiting with neighbors, daily walks in the neighborhood and working in her yard. She was always an upbeat, entertaining companion with a great sense of humor and will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Belle is survived by her eight children: daughter LTC (Ret.) Mary Kresge of Denver, NC; daughter, Peggy Lackey and her husband Ed of Midland, NC; daughter, Sally Culpepper of Charlotte, NC; son, Gene Kresge and wife Nancy Cowan of Denver, NC; daughter Ann Dixon and husband, Bill of Huntersville, NC; son, MTI (SS)(Ret) Jimmy Kresge and wife Mary of Concord, NC; son, Joe Kresge, and wife Janeth of Charlotte, NC; son, Mike Kresge of Charlotte, NC. She is also survived by twelve grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved like her own children.

Belle was preceded in death by her loving husband of 53 years, Buck Kresge, her parents, and her brother, Jimmy Lahey.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 30, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Hankins & Whittington, Dilworth Chapel, 1111 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, July 31, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 8901 Lawyers Road, Mint Hill, NC.

Arrangements are in the care of Hankins & Whittington, Dilworth Chapel. Online condolences may be made at hankinsandwhittington.com.

The family would like to thank her many caregivers who provided love, care and support to Belle and her family including Compassionate Care of Charlotte, Cadence Senior Living, Preston House and Via Health Partners.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Box 999, Charlotte, NC 28215 or at https://tinyurl.com/alzdoners