Elaine W. Belding

Elaine W. Belding HAMPTON - "Mother - No friend so near to me, no comrade so true, no pal half so dear to me - Mother, as you - No love half so sweet to me, no heart so fine as the love and the heart of you - Mother O' Mine!" Elaine Weller Belding began her long journey in Plankinton, S.D., March 14, 1915. The daughter of the late Leroy and Edith Weller, she attended Dakota Wesleyan College and taught elementary school for five years prior to marrying Dean Belding, whom she had know since the first grade. As newlyweds, they moved to Virginia where Dean had the promise of a job in Portsmouth. Together, they raised three children and built a life together that lasted 57 years. She read nursery rhymes, played games and sang funky little songs to her children. Elaine loved music and had a sweet alto voice, which she lent to several church choirs. She was an avid reader and instilled in her children a lifelong love of books and reading. She was a loving wife, a devoted and proud mother and grandmother and a loyal friend. When her children were older, Elaine returned to work as a special education teacher eventually retiring from the Chesapeake Public School system. Always interested in learning something new, willing to meet new people and experience new possibilities, Elaine moved to the retirement community of Warwick Forest in 1999 after her husband's death. She joined Warwick Memorial Methodist Church and the Ardelle Lett Circle and formed many new friendships while living on the Peninsula. Even as her health slipped away she was looking forward to the celebration of her 94th birthday and the beginning of the summer concerts at Fort Monroe. Her journey finally ended Jan. 29, 2009. We know that she has reunited with her dear husband, Dean and her darling daughter, Susan Saunders and that they are enjoying a good hot cup of coffee and a funny joke. The family extends a special "thanks" to the kindness and tender care given by the doctors, nurses and staff who kept her going in the face of numerous health challenges. She will forever remain in the hearts of those she leaves behind: her daughter, Karen Belding of Hampton; son, Jon Belding and his wife Yvonne; granddaughter, Laurie Metzger and her husband Rob; grandson, Todd Belding; and great-granddaughter, Madison Metzger, all of Portsmouth. Interment will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 3920 Airline Blvd., Chesapeake. A celebration of life will be held Sunday, Feb. 22, at 3:30 p.m. in Burton Hall, Warwick Forest Retirement Community, 1004 Old Denbigh Blvd., Newport News, VA 23602. If you so desire, in lieu of flowers you may remember Elaine with a donation to your local Food Bank, the American Cancer Society, 11835 Canon Blvd., Ste. A-102, Newport News, VA 23606 or the National Kidney Foundation, NKF of the Virginias Inc., 1742 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228. Arrangements are under the care of W.J. Smith and Son Funeral Home, Newport News.