Rose M. Bellinger

Rose M. Bellinger was born in Beckley West Virginia on June 1, 1919. She was the fifth child born to Henry Green Sr. and Della Smith Green. Her closest siblings were male, so she became more comfortable playing "boys" games and was always called a tomboy. Growing up in a large family of twelve children, she learned the importance of family values and a strong sense of community. Rose spent her early life in Beckley graduating from Stratton High in 1938. She worked in various positions in local businesses. She decided that she would follow her oldest sister to Manhattan, New York City. At that time she began working in a factory as a mechanical technician and enjoyed making parts for man types of machines. She was introduced to Joseph Bellinger, who worked on the Pennsylvania Railroad by her brother-in-law, and they were married on November 22, 1949. They moved to the Bronx where they met the Woffords as neighbors. They became friends when the Woffords moved to Teaneck, Rose searched and found a house she loved. (She was not too fond of New York city.) So she and Joe moved to Teaneck in 1954. Not children were born of this union, but the house, 1085 Decatur Avenue, became the drop-off spot for all her family. Her nieces and nephews became her children, her friends' children also became her children. Her love of sports was legendary. She was a die hard NY Giants football fan and she traveled far and wide to see them play. She became interested in bowling, joining several leagues for which she bowled on a regular basis. She became so good that in the 1960's she bowled a perfect game of 300! Rose was very active in the community, she belonged to the Urban League and AARP. This extended to her neighbors also. Her next door neighbors, the Bakers, were a case in point- she was like family. She was like family with the original owners, then their children and grand children. Above all she loved her family and was always eager to support where she could. She enjoyed her life and she is the last of her generation in her family. She is survived by many nieces and nephews who will remember her love, caring, and kindness.

Rose M. Bellinger

March 15, 2018