Gladys T Bello

Gladys T. Bello, 103, passed peacefully on Christmas night at Christopher House in Worcester with her loving family at her side.

Gladys was born Allegra Bello on December 5, 1915 in Oxford to Salvatore and Carmela (Deliseo) Bello.  Her education started in Southbridge and continued in the Worcester public schools.  Gladys worked as Office Manager at Worcester County Hospital in Boylston until she retired in 1979.

Gladys was committed to serving her community through her many civic, charitable and religious endeavors.  She was a loyal member of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish and community, past president of the Golden Years Club in addition to organizing and participating in the Mount Carmel feast, Christmas Fair and numerous other functions.  During World War II she worked with the Italian American Defense Committee sending letters and packages to area men in the armed forces, after the war Gladys was President of American Legion Post 201 auxiliary.  The Italian government awarded her the Star of Solidarity and the title of Cavalier for her efforts in raising money to fund seven youth centers.  Her charitable activities included March of Dimes, Nazareth Home for Boys, Calvary Guild and so many others.  She was tireless in her efforts to benefit the community and was recognized with many citations, awards and keys to the City.

She was past president of the Order of Sons of Italy in Worcester and received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1964 and the Grand Lodge Golden Lion Award in 2009.

Gladys loved to play bocce and organize bus trips for Sons of Italy and Golden Years.  She enjoyed the casinos, spending time with her family and friends.  Gladys loved an adventure.  She was a devout Catholic and proud of her Italian-American heritage.

Miss Bello leaves her nieces Mary Ann and Carmelita Bello, Rita McFadden and her husband Robert, nephew David Carlson and many other dear nephews and nieces.  In addition to her family Gladys was blessed to have numerous close friends at Mount Carmel Apartments, Golden Years and Sons of Italy.

Besides her parents she is predeceased by her four brothers Felix, Gerardo, John and Angelo and many nieces and nephews.

The family is grateful to Dr. Christine MacGinnis for her wonderful care and thoughtfulness, the staff and volunteers at Christopher House, the hospice team at Jewish Healthcare, her two home health aides Terri and Donna from Epic.

Donations in Gladys name can be made to Mount Carmel Preservation Society, c/o Carmelita Bello, 4 Cheyenne Road, Worcester, MA  01606.

Glady’s funeral will be held on Monday December 31, from the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 370 Plantation St. with a Mass of Christian burial at 10:00AM in the Church of Our Lady of the Angels 1222 Main St. Visiting hours with the family will be held from 3PM to 6PM on Sunday in the funeral home. Interment will be in the family lot in St. Roch’s Cemetery 25 Federal Hill Rd. Oxford MA. Members of the Sons of Italy will meet at the funeral home for their Ritual at 5:30PM. To leave a condolence for the family or share a special memory of Gladys please visit her memorial site at mercadantefuneral.com