Beatrice May Belden

January 9, 1924 - April 22, 2015

Beatrice May “Bird” Belden – 91, of Vineland, NJ, died peacefully surrounded by family in her home on April 22, 2015 following a short illness. Born on January 9, 1924 in Philadelphia, PA to LeRoy and Jennie Jaynes, she graduated from the William Penn High School in Philadelphia PA. She attended Ann Borough School of Design and cosmology school. During WWII she was employed by the Frankfort Arsenal making ammunition for our armed forces, later joining the United States Army Air Core as support for the Tuskegee Airmen enabling her to achieve the rank of Master Sargent. She was predeceased by her Husband, Harold Belden, who she married on April 5 1952, and they first made their home in Brooklyn NY, later moving to Amityville Long Island NY. Bird, who had a passion for fashion and couture, managed The Heather Shop, a boutique women’s retail store in Huntington, NY, until she retired in 1985. After her Husband’s death, she moved to Vineland NJ with her Daughter, Son-in-law and, the love of her life, her only Grandchild, Sarah Michele. She is survived by her son, Harold Belden, Jr., of Blakeslee, PA; daughter, Julia Gould, of Blakeslee, PA; and son-in-law, Francis Gould of Vineland, NJ; her sister, Helen Ringgold of Jenkintown PA.; and one grandchild Sarah Michele Gould- Moi and her husband Alex Moi of Vineland NJ. Predeceased by her sister, Marion King and brother LeRoy Jaynes. She was an accomplished seamstress, and enjoyed knitting & creating beautiful clothes for friends and family. She was passionate about raising her two children and granddaughter whom she loved more than anything. She was happiest when spending time cooking and baking her many special recipes for her beloved family. Inspiring creativity and dedication in others was her life-long goal. Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate her life at a memorial service to be held Saturday, May 2 at 11:00am from the Sray Webster Funeral Home 62 Landis Ave. at Carll’s Corner, Upper Deerfield Twp.. Friends may call on Saturday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, please donate to American Cancer Society at m.cancer.org.