IN MEMORIAM:  Mary Louise Bellinger, 99;

Taught In Region’s One-Room Schoolhouses

WORCESTER – Mary Louise (Peters) Bellinger, 99, a retired teacher who taught in one-room schoolhouses in Schoharie County and Portlandville, passed away at 9:50 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018, at Fox Hospital.

She was the eldest daughter of Richard and Virginia Peters of Stamford, and was born on Dec. 19, 1918,  on the Peters farm.  Mary Lou graduated from the former Oneonta Normal school, presently SUNY, in 1939.

She took the summer off to drive her Uncle Dan to Florida in his new ’39 Ford.  She taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Huntersland; this closed and she then taught in Breakabeen, which later was combined with Middleburgh Central where she taught first and third grades.

On Aug. 26, 1942, she married Hubert L. Bellinger, from Worcester, who she had met while he was a senior and she was student teaching in Mrs. Ames’ first grade.  They were married in the Methodist Church at Stamford.  Mary Lou also taught in Portlandville’s one-room schoolhouse, went on to teach at Milford Central and then Worcester Central, where she taught third grade, retiring in 1973.

She and Hubie enjoyed camping at Caroga Lake, Titus Lake and touring in August in their travel trailer, often accompanied by their grandchildren.  She was a member of the Worcester Methodist Church, former member of the choir, UMW, Women’s Republican Club of Otsego County, Worcester Women’s Club, Worcester Free Library, and National Historical Society.

She is survived by her son, Daniel L. Bellinger of Lake Panasoffkee, Fla. and former spouse, Penny Bellinger of Oneonta; daughter, Jane (William) Milavec of Ridge Manor, Fla. and Oneonta.  grandchildren Clayton (Jenn) Bellinger of Chandler, Ariz.. and their children, Ashli, Cody and Cole; Danielle (Harry) Schwartz of Coronado, Calif.. with their children, Savanna and Race; Rachael (Michael) Shaughnessy of Oneonta and their sons, Noah and Lucas; and Victoria Bellinger (finance Ceylon Patton) and daughter, Jordan.  Her sister, V. Joan Tuttle of Lake Panasoffkee, Fla.; nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by spouse, Hubie; siblings, Miriam Lutz, Elizabeth Lane and James Peters.

A celebration of life memorial will be held in late May.  We wish to extend heartfelt thanks to Alberta, Donna, Eileen for the warm, caring, calming care they gave Mother these past 21 months at the Ross Adult Home in Town of Maryland.

In Mary Lou’s memory donations may be made to Springbook, Office of Fund Development, 105 Campus Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Thanking the Pietrobonos at Heller & Skinner Funeral Home, Worcester for the arrangements; for online guestbook, visit, www.hellerskinnerfh.com