It is with tender sadness that we announce our beloved mother, Ileane Christine Norheim Bellecci has passed peacefully at home on Sunday May 2, 2021 at the age of 94 surrounded by her family. She was a native of Montana and a resident of Baton Rouge.
Ileane graduated from nursing school in Montana and traveled to California where she met her husband , John, and practiced nursing there. She and John were married for 68 years. She followed him to his jobs from California to Illinois back to California and eventually to Louisiana where she lived for the past 52 years. Ileane was well-known for her involvement in charitable works with the Catholic Daughters, and for being a faithful weekly participant in various prayer groups through St. Thomas More Church for 48 years. She attended daily mass when possible and committed to an adoration hour for years. A highlight for many friends and for co-workers of her husband were her fabulous dinner parties, one of which she hosted annually for Borden Chemical. She and her husband John loved golf and were avid bridge players. They traveled extensively through 6 of the continents. Her favorite spot of many was Bruges. At home, she relaxed by tending her rose gardens, listening to opera, or playing card games with her grandchildren. Shelves of recipe books testified to the variety and quality of family meals she provided throughout the years. She definitely was the “hostess with the mostess”.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John S. Bellecci, and her siblings Annie Bishop, Ben Norheim, John Krass, and Jim Krass. She is survived by her sister Carol Hoffman (Tom), and her five daughters Marian Bellecci, Karen Baldwin (Al), Linda Millburn (Chess), Lisa Bellecci-st.romain (Phil), and Madeleine Timpa (Anthony). Her seven grandchildren have settled in 5 states: Rita Sheffield (Mark), Theresa St. Romain (Bill Head), Paul St. Romain (Katherine), Allison Barrilleaux (Dustin), Marie Faucheux (Alex), Peter Timpa, and Tara Krieger (Michelle). Ileane also has 8 great-grandchildren: Caleb and Julianne Sheffield, Natalie Head, Elizabeth, Marie, Gianna, and Luke St.Romain, and Nolan Barrilleaux. She also has numerous nieces and nephews from California to Montana to Florida and New York who adored her sweetness to them.
Pallbearers will be Chess Millburn, Anthony Timpa, Peter Timpa and Al Baldwin. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Janice Hearn who was her very patient sitter.
Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation at Greenoaks Funeral Home on Thursday, May 6th from 9:30 am until funeral service at 12 noon. Burial will follow in Greenoaks Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Vincent de Paul. Please visit www.greenoaksfunerals.com to leave condolences to the family.
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