Martha Belle Becilla

Martha Belle Blosser Becilla, 94, of Price Street, Morgantown, WV, passed away peacefully Monday, March 14, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born February 4, 1922 in Morgantown, WV and was the third of five children born to the late Nellie Zearley Blosser and Elmer Blosser. Martha Belle attended Morgantown Jr. High School, graduated from Morgantown High School and also from West Virginia University with a BS degree in Home Economics. After graduation in July 1943 and during World War II, she enlisted in the WAVES (Womens’ Auxilary Volunteer Emergency Services) in the U. S. Navy Hospital Corps and was discharged in December 1945. In 1946 Martha became an active member of the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church when she married her husband, Joseph John Becilla. The church is now St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. She was a Food Supervisor at West Virginia University from 1967-1984. She was also very supportive in helping her husband in his restaurant businesses. She and her husband worked at the election voting polls for many years, she was a regular blood donor and volunteer for the American Red Cross, and dedicated her services to the Morgantown Senior Center. She had many hobbies but her favorites were tatting, weaving and braiding rugs and she shared her projects with family and friends. She was an annual participant of the West Virginia State Fair winning mostly blue ribbons for 30 years. Martha and Joe traveled with their six children to many interesting places and enjoyed camping life. After retirement, they traveled to Hawaii and parts of Europe. In addition to her parents, Martha was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Joseph John Becilla, and one son, Joseph John Becilla, Jr.; by one brother, David Edward Blosser and three sisters, Mary Blosser Bertie, Betty Blosser O’Hara and Barbara Blosser Bailey. She is survived by five children: two daughters: Kathy Becilla Jeffreys and husband Richard of Warsaw, Indiana, Sandra Becilla Pell and husband Edward of Peterstown, WV; three sons: Paul Andrew Becilla and wife Barbara Jo of Morgantown, Mark Allen Becilla and wife Carol of Morgantown, and John Michael Becilla and wife Lavina of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. There are 14 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Dr. Charles Beall, Dr. Ward Paine, Dr. Vincent DelaGarza and to the staff at the Oncology Department at Monongalia General Hospital, as well as the staffs of Amedysis/Morgantown Hospice. Family and friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce Street, Morgantown, on Wednesday, March 16, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A Scriptural Wake service will be held with Sister Nancy White at 8:30 to conclude the evening service. Visitation will continue at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church Thursday, March 17, from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. with Msgr. Anthony Cincinnati, STD, VE as celebrant. Entombment will follow in Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens, Westover. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make donations to St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, One Guthrie Lane, Morgantown, WV 26508 or to Christian Help 219 Walnut Street, Morgantown, WV 26505 Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com