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Betty Marie Belliveau
Dec 17, 2024
AMENIA — Betty Marie (McGhee) Belliveau, 89, passed away Monday, Dec. 9. She was a resident of Noble Horizons Nursing Facility in Salisbury, in the care of the Wagner unit staff. She formerly lived in Stanfordville and Amenia. Born March 9, 1935, to Mildred (Wirehouse) and Collins S. McGhee Sr. in Bethel (Pine Plains, New York). She attended Pine Plains High School. On Nov. 14, 1953, she married the love of her life, Richard A. Belliveau. They lived in Litchfield, briefly, then moved to Wethersfield Estate in Amenia where they settled for 47 years and raised their family.
Betty was the main housekeeper for the Wethersfield Estate for many years. She was also a licensed hairdresser and was employed for 10 years at Maplebrook School, Amenia, as a dorm parent.
Betty was a wonderful mother, grandmother and loyal friend to many. She loved to cook and garden. There wasn’t a recipe she couldn’t master or a seed she couldn’t nurture.
In her younger years she was an avid bowler. She and her husband were wonderful dancers. She belonged to the Pawling Dutchess Quakers square dance group and they participated in many round and ballroom dance expositions. She also traveled abroad to many countries including China, England, Ireland, Wales, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Nova Scotia, Mexico and frequently to Toronto, Canada. Until the last 5 years, she was an active member of the Forever Young Club in Stanfordville.
Betty is survived by her 5 children; Theresa (Robert) Brewer of Millerton, Jeffrey (Priscilla) of Yanceyville, North Carolina, Andrea (David) Lyle of Millerton,Joel (Mary) of Millerton and Jill (Stephen) Carroll of Amenia. She was proud of her 12 grandchildren; Nicholas Brewer, Emily Egan, Erin (Brandon) Burke, Rachael Belliveau, Aimee (Christopher) Ziegler, Trevor (Courtney) Lyle, Levi Belliveau, Aera Belliveau, Erika Belliveau, Stephen Carroll, Gavin (Alyssa) Carroll and Logan Carroll. She was the great-grandmother to 11 children. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Betty was predeceased by her husband Richard (2014), her parents, her great granddaughter, Averi Burke, her brother, Collins McGhee Jr. and her sister Janet Hall.
Per her request there will be no services. The family will gather for a burial and memorial gathering in the late spring. In lieu of flowers, donations to the employee Christmas Fund, in Betty’s memory would be greatly appreciated, Noble Horizons, 17 Cobble Road, Salisbury, CT 06068. To leave a message of condolence for the family or to share a memory, please visit peckandpeck.net
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Polly Allen Mellen
Dec 17, 2024
LAKEVILLE — Polly Allen Mellen, of Lakeville, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Dec. 11, 2024, at the age of 100, with family by her side.
Polly was born June 18, 1924, in West Hartford, daughter of the late Walter and Leslie Allen.
Her childhood was a treasure to her, marked by loving parents, close-knit siblings, and an active social life. The family frequented Fishers Island, New York, and the Mill Reef Club in Antigua, where her parents had homes. She attended Miss Porter’s School in New England and then moved to New York City.
Following a brief tenure as a salesgirl and display designer at Lord & Taylor, she progressed into editorial. Polly began her illustrious career as a protégée of one of the most famous matriarchs of American fashion, Diana Vreeland. Under Vreeland’s tutelage, she evolved into an editor at Harper’s Bazaar, and later, a leader at American Vogue. She was famous for her avant-garde, out-of-the-box approach, and her animated facial expressions and gregarious manner. In particular, she was known for her clapping, which became a sought-after benchmark of success for designers during her time at Vogue. Polly is known to have cried at fashion shows when moved. She was larger than life and immersed in her experiences completely.
For more than 40 years, Polly was a beacon in the design world, and, from 1991 to 1999, served as creative director of Allure. She was a force of nature—articulate, vibrant, exuberant, and highly regarded as an iconic American stylist and fashion editor. Polly’s joie de vivre, passion for details, and nuanced aesthetic infused her career.
Polly’s cutting-edge style and formidable presence profoundly influenced the careers of many designers, editors, and photographers in the creative fashion world, which eventually elevated her to legendary status. She worked intimately with photographers, including her dear, lifelong friend, Richard Avedon, with whom she styled many timeless images, including photographs of Sophia Loren, Rudolf Nureyev, and an iconic shot of Nastassja Kinski, naked, famously swathed in nothing but a boa constrictor. Polly worked with many other reputed photographers, including Arthur Elgort, Steven Meisel, Helmut Newton, Irving Penn, and Bruce Weber. She worked closely with all the great designers and fashion models of her time. When she retired in 1994, Polly received a lifetime achievement award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America and remained a consultant on various projects.
When not working, Polly was an avid reader and gardener and enjoyed being outdoors, particularly by the sea. She cherished her friendships and family and was an adept athlete, skiing downhill and playing golf well into her 90’s.
Polly was the loving wife of the late Henry Wigglesworth Mellen, and savored her family, including her dear grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter, Leslie Bell, her son Louis Baker Bell, Jr.; stepson Henry Mellen, stepdaughter Lucinda Mellen; and grandchildren, Hope Bell, Molly Bell, Palmer Johnson, Dylan Chase, and Clark Mellen, along with many adoring nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Walter Allen Jr., and sisters Nancy Belknap, Patty Wall, and Leslie Tapscott.
A memorial for immediate family will be held in 2025, with announcements to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to offer donations to the Little Guild of St. Francis, Cornwall, CT.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
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Walter Ray Killmer
Dec 17, 2024
MILLERTON — On Nov. 25, Walter Killmer died at his home with loved ones nearby.
Walter was born Jan. 2, 1951, to the late Raymond and Charlotte (Brendline) Killmer at Sharon Hospital.
Walter served his country by enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1968. That same year, he married Gail Harpp who predeceased him in 2011. Walter was also predeceased by his beloved daughter, Brenda Hotaling, as well as sister, Judy McGee, and brothers Bryant and Milton (Jody) Killmer.
Surviving at home are his beloved son, Steven Killmer, and Steven’s partner Christina Stickles (Chrissy Burns), grandsons Shane and Cole Hotaling, who were adored by their Poppy.
Surviving siblings, Jackie Spaulding, April Riley, Scott Killmer and Joanne Killmer are all from Millerton.
Walt had a special bond with his niece and nephew, Charlotte Humbert and Raymond Killmer.
Also surviving are several nieces and nephews as well as cousins.
The family would like to thank Chrissy who took such loving care of Walter.
The family will have a celebration of life in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to the community hospice: The Community Hospice, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill, NY 12414.
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