In memory of our mother Marie Dolores Bellin

Mum was born in Bordighera Italy April 11th, 1930, in a very different time and a very different life. She was one of three daughters, the middle child. Mum and her sisters were raised by a very hard working mother in the Vielle Ville of Nice without the assistance of a father. Her sisters were born in Nice but our mother was born in Bordighera in order to obtain the bonus being given out by the Italian government at the time. This regrettably led her to not always having the same privileges as the other children at school but it did not deter her from getting ahead and left her with a passion of justice for all.

1930 was a difficult time for all and our mum grew up hungry. One of her classmates who always came to school with a brioche made up of 5 sections, like fingers of a hand would tell how our mother was always eating the fingers of this brioche when the classmate had her back turned. They laughed about it for years later ...

Our mum was a carefree spirit, her sisters would add that when scolded, she would just laugh and start singing. She seemed to easily excel at everything, knitting, dancing, cooking and possessed natural class and chic!

Marie married at a young age and her first born arrived within the first year, a son named Serge. The young family then moved to Montreal where two daughters were born Evelyne and Brigitte and the family then moved once again to Vancouver Canada and remained to this day.

Our parents worked together for many years in a hairdressing salon located across from English Bay and were well known and appreciated by many in the community. They also travelled extensively and entertained often and there were very joyous times.

There were also very difficult times. Throughout it all, our mum did her best.

When she was well, she was terrific, a good sense of humour, an infectious laugh, a lovely smile and a kind and generous soul.  She was also determined and stubborn and when she made up her mind about someone or something, there was not much that could be done to change it.
Everyone who met her, whether briefly or those who knew her for over 70 years can only mention what a kind and gentle soul she was. She was also very spontaneous and very honest and could at times make comments that were not always well received, but done so innocently and without malice, that it was impossible to take offence.

She will now reunite with her husband Lucien, her mother Colomba and her two sisters Michelene and Jeannine.

All our love Serge, Evelyne and Brigitte

La mort ne peut pas tuer ce qui ne meurt jamais . Chaque vie est appréciée et chérie, et rien de ce qui est aimé n'est jamais perdu ou péri. Partout où une belle âme est allée, il y a une trace de beaux souvenirs. Tu n'es plus là où tu étais, mais tu es partout là où je suis.

English Translation: "you are no longer where you were, but you are everywhere that I am".
Quote by Victor Hugo

Come e detto nel Vangelo: poco in terra, molto in cielo.

English Translation: As told in the Gospel: little on earth, much in Heaven.