Myra Bellavia (7/12/41-2/1/25)

Myra was an incredibly generous, honest, and organized person who seemed to know the answer to just about any question. She was a loving wife, mother of five, and grandmother of six. A devout Catholic, she was a dedicated member of Guardian Angels Church in St. Marianne Cope Parish for over 50 years.

She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Carmen L. Bellavia; daughter, Charleen Bellavia; parents, Myron & Emilee Kahler; and sister, Florence Kahler. She is survived by her children, Gina (Eric Frank) Bellavia, Carmen S. (Wanda) Bellavia, Anne (Eric) Smookler, and Joe (Morgan) Bellavia; her grandchildren, Nate, Rachel, Theo, Bella, Sabrina, and Ruby; her brother, Mel (Sharon) Kahler; and many nieces and nephews.

Myra’s work ethic and eidetic memory helped her earn a full scholarship to the University at Buffalo, where she studied pharmacy. She went on to have a career spanning over 40 years, including more than two decades at Wegmans Pharmacy.

After retiring, Myra combined her love for babies and gift giving by volunteering at and eventually running Angel Care, a charity supporting new mothers in need. She made every donation dollar count and provided essentials to thousands of women and infants. Myra built personal relationships with managers at major retail stores, who would call her whenever car seats or Pack ’n Plays went on sale. She would scour garage sales for baby clothes, and if funds were tight, she would either pay for them herself or encourage (often successfully) the sellers to donate any unsold items. She spent countless hours washing, drying, and meticulously folding load after load of baby clothes, carefully arranging them into beautifully-prepared layettes.

Outside of her work and volunteering, Myra loved spending time with family, especially being “Nanie” to her grandchildren. She was an avid reader and gardener, and enjoyed ballroom dancing, playing pinochle and word games, and reading the newspaper cover to cover.

She also made every holiday special, with her festive decorating and delicious feasts.  She especially loved Christmas, when she’d shower her family with presents and bake over a dozen types of homemade cookies. For decades, she was the connector between her five geographically spread-out children, keeping everyone up-to-date on each other’s lives and ensuring the family remained close, no matter the distance.

Family and friends are invited to call on Friday, February 7, from 4-7 PM at Miller Funeral and Cremation Services (3325 Winton Rd S). Myra’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 8, at 10 AM at St. Marianne Cope Parish at Guardian Angels 2061 E. Henrietta Rd. Interment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

Following Myra’s example of generosity toward charitable causes benefiting people in need, please consider making a donation to one of her favorite organizations in lieu of flowers.

St. Marianne Anne Cope Parish/Angel Care Ministry using this link: https://www.wesharegiving.org/app/giving/WeShare-20001400?tab=home, choose Angel Care Ministry under the fund tab or send checks to 2061 E. Henrietta Rd., Rochester, NY 14623 and note Angel Care in the memo

Catholic Relief Services (PO Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21297-0303)

St. Peter’s Kitchen (PO Box 11031, Rochester, NY 14611)

The Wounded Warrior Project