Mary Bello

Mary Felice Bello age 81, of Millcreek, passed away on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at St. Vincent Hospital.

She was born in Erie on June 6, 1936 a daughter of the late Nazzarino and Angeline Ferrante Felice.

Mary was a graduate of Strong Vincent High School, class of 1954. She then went on to marry the love of her life, Tony Bello, in 1958. Shortly after marrying, Mary and Tony started the family business which was a small grocery store, that eventually led to the Bello Group Companies, that includes Bello’s Shur Fine, Bello’s Deli, Bridal Elegance & Cuffs Formal Wear along with other family real estate holdings. Business was her life. She was a headstrong CEO for over 50 years and made sure she knew every aspect of her companies. In an era where most CEO’s were men, Mary dominated and succeeded in business. She was heavily involved until her passing.

Mary was the matriarch of the Bello clan and hosted Saturday night dinners for the entire family for many years. She enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren with many different treats and made sure to always have Jell-O in the fridge. Her guilty pleasure was playing scratch off lottery tickets, where she would often pass along her winnings to her grandchildren. In true Italian fashion, one of her favorite weekends of the year was Labor Day Weekend, where the entire Bello family would gather and can tomatoes to make sauce. She loved the fact that there were 5 generations coming together to continue a family tradition.

 She was a long time member of Our Lady of Peace Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony F. Bello; a son, John Anthony Bello and a brother, Gino Felice.

She is survived by a daughter, Christine Bello Wells and her husband Mitch; two sons, Joseph N. Bello and his wife Suzanne and James P. Bello and his wife Christina; daughter-in-law, Mary O. Bello; 11 grandchildren: Joanne, Anthony (Evelyn), Carolyn (Mike), Mitchell, Kathryn, James, Mackenzie, Tyler, Alexandra, Victoria, and Caroline and two great grandchildren, Julianna and Isabell. She is further survived by many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Burton Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 602 W 10^th Street, Erie, PA 16502 on Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. and are invited to attend a prayer service there on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Cathedral 230 W 10^th Street, Erie, PA 16501. Burial to follow in Calvary Mausoleum.

Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children 1645 W. 8^th Street, Erie, PA 16505 or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.