Mrs. Mary Jane A. (Lucarelli) Bello

UTICA – Mrs. Mary Jane A. (Lucarelli) Bello, age 88, passed away on Friday, October 4, 2024, with her loving family by her side. As per her wishes, and extremely funny sense of humor, Mary Jane requested her obituary simply read the following: “Mary Jane A. (Lucarelli) Bello, “SHE’S DEAD!” as she laughed out loud. She also stated, “I WANT A CLOSED CASKET BECAUSE I DON’T WANT ANYBODY STARING AT ME WHEN I’M DEAD!” Born in Canastota, NY on December 29, 1935, Mary Jane was the daughter of the late Emilio J. and Rose (DeFazio) Lucarelli. She was a graduate of T.R. Proctor High School/Class of 1954. In 1958, Mary Jane was joined in marriage to John A. Bello. They shared many years together prior to John’s passing on December 23, 2019. Mary Jane served as a reading aide at the former Roosevelt Grade School where she enjoyed many special relationships with her students and the faculty. Subsequently, she served as an underwriter at Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. (now MetLife). Mary Jane also held several part-time positions while working full-time with the former Learners Department Store, Barbara Moss, and as a waitress at a local Catering Service. Mary Jane enjoyed volunteering at the Boilermaker Road Race with the Met Life water station, even after her retirement. She also enjoyed many laughs with one of her former coworkers, Arlene “Cockaroach” alias “Little Cock” Daccursio and her husband Richard alias “Tweety” Daccursio. Lastly, she served part-time as an office assistant at Watson Williams Grade School where she also enjoyed many more special relationships with the students and faculty. Mary Jane was a loving woman of deep catholic faith and loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all her heart. Formally a member of the Blessed Sacrament and Saint Mary of Mount Carmel churches, she was appointed a role as a eucharistic minister for people that were too ill to make it to church. She was a strong woman who worked tirelessly to support her family and friends and for that matter anyone in need. She had a soft heart for animals and had many cats and dogs as pets over the years. She especially adored her canine companion Kiwi, her beloved Shar Pei. An active woman, Mary Jane was a member of the Fun and Fitness Exercise Center at the former Riverside Mall. In her earlier years, you could find her out dancing with many of her special friends including but not limited to, Linda Williams, Rosa Priore, Mary Jane Sicilianno, and the late Sharon McEwen at the former Ramada Inn on Burrstone Road and various other clubs in the Utica area. She enjoyed being outside and spent many years with her family at the former Power Dam Recreation Area and multiple other lakes and waterways in Central NY. She especially enjoyed sailing and picnicking on Oneida Lake with her beloved late sister, Rosalie and husband Thomas Mahar, and many other family members. Mary Jane’s cooking was legendary, especially her famous meatballs and sauce which she freely shared with the entire neighborhood, and every automotive facility in which her son John worked over the years. Every Monday around break time, there would be a waiting line at his work to distribute the meatballs. Entertaining arguments frequently broke out as to who was getting them and how many. Her meatballs were also legendary at the former Pin-O-Rama Bowling Center where her son also frequently brought them to distribute to his friends and teammates during league bowling. Nearly every Friday night in her children’s younger years and beyond, Mary Jane would make homemade pizza which was also legendary in the neighborhood and surrounding areas. Subsequently, it was not uncommon to have a house full of people and her children’s classmates and sometimes complete strangers over to partake in the delicious pizza. Mary Jane certainly treasured cooking and times at the table, cherishing the company of her families on both sides of her marriage, most notably during the holidays, especially Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. On Christmas Eve her sister, Rosalie, would always prepare the traditional Italian seven fishes and all the accoutrements that went along with them. On these holidays, Mary Jane, and her sister, Rosalie, and sometimes their father, Emilio, would frequently prepare homemade gnocchi, ravioli, and/or the entire gamut of stuffed and unstuffed pastas, meatballs, and sauce. Often duck, turkey, and ham were also prepared along with numerous homemade pies, cakes, and other delicious deserts. The holidays were always a true celebration of family and food. Mary Jane also enjoyed many special times and holidays with her in-laws, the late “Poppie” Joseph and “Nonie” Lena Bello, Uncle Tony Sorace, Judy and the late Philip Rolchigo, the late Mamie Bello and Joe Bello, the late Mary and Nicholas Curri, and multiple nieces, nephews, and other cherished family members and friends. Most notably, the entire families of everyone going to eat Nonie’s signature traditional marinated pork meat after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. These celebrations would frequently last until 2 to 3 o’clock in the morning and beyond only to wake up Christmas day and do it all over again. Mary Jane is survived by her daughter, Laurey Bello; and son and daughter-in-law, John A., Jr., and Naomi Bello. She treasured the memory of her late daughter, Diane Marie Bello, who passed away in 1973. She leaves her grandson, Joshua McKinney with whom she shared a special bond in their earlier years together. She fondly remembered her siblings who preceded her Rosalie, and Charles Lucarelli. She will further be remembered by her nieces and nephews, David and Lisa Mahar, Jeffrey and Linda Mahar; and her great-nieces and great-nephews, especially Madison Mahar, with whom she also shared a special bond, and Gregory, Courtney, and Bradley Mahar. She also leaves her in-laws, Juliet Rolchigo and the late Phillip Rolchigo, Joseph A. “Joe” Bello, and the late Mamie M. Loiacano Bello; additional nieces and nephews, Michael, and Lisa Rolchigo, Tyler and Marina, Phillip and Judy Rolchigo, Matthew and Bella, Patricia Cote, Terri Bello Vecchio and Michael C. Vecchio, Michael Vecchio, Joseph and Karen Bello, David M. and Pamela Bello, Carlene and Donald Zumpano, and Robert, and Cynthia Curri. Mary Jane also enjoyed the company and friendship of the late Rose Emma, her neighbor when she lived on Brinckerhoff Ave in Utica. If anyone has been left out, please know that it wasn’t on purpose as this has been a very stressful time for the family. The family especially wishes to extend their gratitude to “Paw” Thumbelina Bello who was known as Mary Jane’s and her late husband John’s unofficial adopted daughter. Her devoted friendship, kindness, love, and endless care was instrumental in the life and the final days of both Mary Jane and John’s lives and will never be forgotten! The family would like to mention Mary Jane’s special friend, Sharon McEwen and her son Ryan McEwen and their family with whom she shared many years of treasured friendship before Sharon’s passing. The family would also like to especially mention Howard and Kelly Britton, and Howard Britton, Jr. who called her “Grandma,” for their unending help, support, and love extended to Mary Jane. She shared a very special friendship and bond with their family, especially Howard Jr. who she adored. Mary Jane was predeceased by her father-in-law and mother-in-law Joseph, and Lena (Sorace) Bello; and in-laws, Mary and Nicholas J. Curri. The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the entire staff at Sunset Nursing and Rehab Center where Mary Jane resided prior to her passing. Mary Jane’s family also sends their sincerest thank you and gratitude to the staff of the ER, and ICU Trauma Units at Upstate University Hospital for their valiant efforts to save her life and dignity and make her as comfortable as possible before her passing. The efforts and care of the above named facilities will never be forgotten! Visitation will be held on Monday, October 14, 2024, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Mary Jane’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence at 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. For those unable to attend, you may be present virtually at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83852526504. Memorial contributions in Mary Jane’s honor may be made to Spring Farm CARES online at https://www.springfarmcares.org/get-involved/donate/. Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery at the convenience of the family. This obituary was lovingly written by Mary Jane’s family.

Mrs. Mary Jane A. (Lucarelli) Bello

December 29, 1935 - October 4, 2024