Eunice Bellegante

Eunice L. Bellegante, age 87, of King Hill, passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at a Glenns Ferry care center after a short illness. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, in Mountain Home.

Eunice was born Aug. 23, 1927 in Colton, Calif. She was one of 11 children born to Samuel and Ethel Owings. The family later moved to Boise, where she attended Roosevelt Grade School (1st-8th). After the family moved to King Hill, she continued her schooling at King Hill High School.

On Oct. 22, 1945, Eunice married Eugene J. Bellegante. Together, they raised five children on their farm in Glenns Ferry. When they weren't working the farm, they enjoyed spending time at their cabin above Pine.

Each year, they took the family on a weeklong campout above Longs Crossing, where every morning she would start the fire and wait for everyone to catch their breakfast. Fish never tasted so good.

Eunice enjoyed crocheting, sewing as well as hunting, fishing and looking for Indian Rocks. She was very proud of her trophy buck. After all the children left home, she and Gene spent many hours fishing at Camas, Anderson Ranch and the Boise River. This past October, they celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary.

Eunice is survived by her husband, Gene, and five children, Eugene (Karen) Bellegante, Kathy Stickney, Joanna (Cliff) Lewis, John (Sue) Bellegante and Andy (Diana) Bellegante, 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters Wilma Davis, Doris Nielson (Jene), Myrtle Hall, Frances Diller (Dale), Bernice Magnum and Ann Burns (Jim) as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Rose L. Parry; and three brothers, Tom, William and Charles Owings.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Eunice with family and friends gathering at the Moose Hall in Glenns Ferry on Sunday, April 26, 2015, from Noon to 3 p.m. Join us as we remember a strong, graceful, beautiful woman and a wonderful mother. She always had a kind word, big hug, full of love and will be in our hearts forever.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Women of the Moose, P.O. Box 520, Glenns Ferry, ID 83623.