MONFRADI, Lucy Bellia, 93, of Wheeling, W.Va., died Saturday, June 16, 2012 at Liza's Place, surrounded by her children.
Born in 1918, in Wheeling, the daughter of Paul and Carmella (Tomasillo) Bellia, Lucy Monfradi was a loving mother of six devoted children, an advocate for the blind, and a talented hairdresser for more than 50 years.
During the Great Depression, at a young age, she opened her first beauty salon in South Wheeling. She then brought her talents to the McClure Hotel Beauty Salon, and finished her career at her own salon in Edgewood.
Lucy's unconditional love for her husband, Charlie Monfradi, brought her to his side at the Valley Forge Army Hospital during his nearly year-long convalescence and rehabilitation after being blinded during combat in WWII.
Charlie and Lucy then became leading members of the West Virginia Federation of the Blind, and were charter members of the Sightless Workers' Guild. Lucy served as a WV state delegate and remained active long after Charlie's death in 1966.
Lucy enjoyed a life full of wonderful friendships and close family relations cultivated through her vivacious and loving nature. She was a devout Catholic and long-time member of St. Michael Parish, the Christian Mothers, and Legion of Mary. She enjoyed oil-painting, knitting, playing cards and scrabble.
She is survived by a son, Charles Monfradi (Dee), five daughters; Mary Louise Michelangelo (Larry), Linda Morgan (Leo), Marlene Hohman (Jim) all of Wheeling; Lucille Beck (George) of Charleston, WV; JoAnne Dunn (Greg) of Patterson, NY; 14 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, Paul and Carmella Bellia, her husbands' Charles Monfradi, and Anthony Dattoli; her brothers, Joseph Bellia (Jean), Dominic Bellia (Anne), Anthony Bellia (Evelyn) and (Hester); sister, Mary Bellia Grandon (David); sister-in-law, Pauline Dattoli and son-in-law, Larry Michelangelo.
Visitation will be held at Altmeyer Funeral Home, 1400 Eoff Street, Wheeling, on Tuesday, June 19 from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Monsignor Eugene Ostrowski at Saint Michaels Church on Wednesday, June 20 at 11 a.m.
Interment will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Seeing Hand Association, Liza's Place or the Welty Home.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.altmeyer.com.
