Philomena (Arena) Belli, 97, of New Bedford died September 9, 2017 at home after a period of declining health.
She was the wife of the late Salvador A. Belli.
Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Pasquale and Emmanuela (Mastrorio) Arena, she was raised in Dartmouth and lived in New Bedford most of her life.
Mrs. Belli was a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church and was a member of the Women's League at her church.
She enjoyed bowling, golfing, knitting, gardening and was an avid Boston Red Sox fan.
Survivors include her 3 daughters, Judith Belli and Gail Andrews, both of New Bedford and Donna Belli of Acushnet; a sister-in-law, Millicent Arena of Gathersburg, MD; 5 grandchildren, Sandra Belli, Patricia Shaw and her husband Kevin, Patrick Andrews and his fiancée Chelsea Bettencourt, Jonathan Andrews and his wife Nichole and Nicholas Andrews; 5 great-grandchildren, Jacob Belli, Landyn Shaw, Logan Shaw, Alexis Andrews and Olivia Andrews; and several nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Joseph Arena, Carmino Arena, Antoinette Arena, Mary Gilholm and Theresa Sirois.
Her Funeral will be held on Tuesday, September 12th at 9 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by her Funeral Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church at 10 AM. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, September 11th from 4-7 PM. Flowers are welcomed or remembrances may be made to Community Nurse Home Care, 62 Center St., Fairhaven, MA 02719.