Sara Catherine Vilm Belli, 78, died Friday, June 26, 2009 at The Glen at Willow Valley. She was born February 28, 1931 in Enid, OK, the only child of Simon N. (Nick) and Helen Hutchinson Vilm. She grew up in El Reno, OK, graduating from El Reno High School and Oklahoma State University, having majored in Business and minored in Secretarial Administration. She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority.

Sara worked for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. in Oklahoma City, as a secretary for the Commanding Officer of the Maintenance and Supply Group, Vance Air Force Base in Enid and in the Personnel Office at Fort Still, OK.

At Fort Still, she met Marine Captain Roy L. Belli. They were married December 5, 1959 in Our Lady of Victory Chapel, Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, VA. As a Marine wife, she organized and managed eleven homes in the first fifteen years of marriage and raised three children frequently in Roy's absence due to unaccompanied duty. She was an excellent cook and baker, and an accomplished hostess.

They settled in Fairfax, VA in 1974 and remained for 26 years. They were active members of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Sara became and avid genealogist eventually acquiring a large library of photos, documentation and a computer database of over

11,000 of their ancestors. After Roy's retirement, they traveled extensively to all 50 states, Canada, and Europe.

In 2000, she and Roy moved to Willow Valley Retirement Community in Lancaster, PA and became active member of St. Mary's Parish.

In addition to Roy, she is survived by daughter, Linda C. Hess of Stafford, VA; son James L. (Jim) Belli of Olympia, WA; and three grandchildren: Patrick, Catherine, and Sarah Hess of Stafford. She was predeceased by son John N. Belli; daughter-in-law Lynne Urquhart Belli and granddaughter, Nicole Laine Belli of Lawrenceville, GA.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, July 22nd from 7-9PM at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home, 414 E. King St., Lancaster, PA, with a Christian Prayer Service at 815PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, July 23 ^rd at 1030AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 119 S. Prince St., Lancaster, PA, with the Rev Leo Goodman as Celebrant. Interment in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Sara's memory to the Brunner Fund, 600 Willow Valley Square, Lancaster, PA 17602. To send an online condolence, please visit www.snyderfuneralhome.com