Wanda Louise Andrzejewski Bellich, 97 of Blacksburg passed away peacefully in her home on Aug. 31, 2017.
Wanda was born on July 22, 1920 in Gary, Indiana, to the late Ignatius and Helen Andrzejewski. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Peter Bellich; brothers, Chester and Casey Andrzejewski; and sisters, Cecelia Jurdzy, Lottie Wegman and Helen Kish.
Wanda is survived by two sons, Richard (Dianne) Bellich (Crown Point, Indiana), James (Jacqueline) Bellich (Downers Grove, Illinois); two daughters, Barbara (Arthur) Keown (Blacksburg) and Linda (Ronald) Knutson (Louisville, Colorado) as well as nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Wanda lived in Gary, IN for the first 60 years of her life. After her mother’s early death, Wanda quit school and assumed the task of running the household and caring for her two younger siblings.
At 20 years of age she met, fell in love and married her backyard neighbor, Peter. They raised and educated four children, started and ran an electrical contracting business and were the magnet for all family gatherings. After retirement, in 1980, they moved to Marco Island, Florida, creating a beautiful home filled with a continual stream of visiting family and friends. After Peter’s death in 1997, Wanda tried to stay on Marco Island – but in 2005 after evacuating for four hurricanes, she decided it was time to move near family and Blacksburg became her new home. A true blessing for Barbara and her family.
The family extends thanks to the finest group of caregivers ever assembled. Their care and loving devotion to Wanda will never be forgotten. Thank you to Mary Bentley, Gloria McNeil, Pat Yates, Kristina Lancaster, Becki Bain, Elesha Wilke, Judy Meyer, Lynn Quesenberry, Helen Scott, Lori Branch, and Theresa Price.
The family will have a memorial gathering at a later date in Gary, Indiana where Wanda’s remains will be laid alongside Peter’s.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Warm Hearth Neighbors in Need Fund, 2603 Warm Hearth Drive, Blacksburg or to Hospice.
