Obituary of Josephine Castiglione Bellardo

Josephine (Jay) Castiglione Bellardo, 94, beloved wife of Michael P. Bellardo for 72 years, suffered a stroke, and passed peacefully in her sleep August 1, 2014 in Sunnyvale, California. Born February 23, 1920, to Diego and Carrie (Montagna) Castiglione, she resided in California the past 32 years, the last 5 years in Belmont Village Assisted Living. She developed a love of roller-skating that played an important role in her life. She met Mike through roller-skating and a fond memory of her three children was the whole family roller-skating at Celeron Rink, followed by a homemade pizza dinner. She was a terrific cook, making virtually everything from scratch, using recipes from memory. Her family all looked forward to her Friday pot roasts during the winters in Jamestown. She made delicious homemade bread and pastries as well, filling the whole house with wonderful smells. Jay was very active in the Methodist church in Jamestown, and belonged to a ladies' bowling league, serving as secretary for many years. She also was a volunteer at a convalescent home in Sumter, South Carolina. She was very involved in her children's schools and activities, serving as a den mother for cub scouts. Mike and Jay raised 3 children: Lou and wife Patty live in Palo Alto; Brian lives in New York City; and Pam and husband Bruce McCoy live in Bonny Doon, CA. Her extended family includes 6 grandchildren and their spouses, 3 great grandchildren, stepbrother Luciano Richetti and wife Dorothy of Jamestown, sister-in-law Mary Bellardo of Jamestown, and several nieces and nephews. After Mike retired from Crescent Tool in 1982 (having relocated to Sumter, South Carolina in 1975), they moved to Central California to be near their children and grandchildren. They traveled extensively throughout Europe, and visited their parents' birthplaces and relatives in Italy and Sicily. They also enjoyed traveling in Australia, New Zealand, Northern Africa, China, and South America. They took several cruises, including a memorable one through the Panama Canal. Preceding Jay in death were Sam Castiglione, her brother, Louis Richetti and Anthony Richetti, her stepbrothers, and Cathy Scheidt, her daughter-in law (Brian's wife). The family is having a viewing on Tuesday, August 5th at the Spangler Mortuary in Los Altos, and a memorial service August 10th at the First United Methodist Church in Palo Alto. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice or your favorite charity.




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