Remembering the life of Sylvia M. Cerullo Belcastro (2024)

A beautiful soul, a gracious hostess, an exceptional cook, a good wife, and a lovely mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother are all phrases to describe Sylvia M. Cerullo Belcastro who passed to her home in Heaven on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 2022.
Sylvia was joined there by her loving husband of 71 years John. Sylvia was the last surviving member of a family comprised of four brothers and seven sisters.
She was the daughter of the late Gaetano and Carmela Saccone Cerullo, born on February 21, 1922 in Haywood, WV.
Sylvia was a faithful and devout Catholic and the oldest living member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Shinnston. She served her church community in several capacities—as both President and Ways and Means chairman of the Altar and Rosary Society which meant she spent many hours cooking at the church hall. Sylvia was a weekly adorer at the Adoration Chapel at St. Ann's for over 18 years until her health no longer allowed her to make her hour of adoration. Sylvia was a strong believer in praying the Rosary which she did daily. She also taught religious education for many years to the children preparing to receive their first Communion.
She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America Clarksburg Court #334 since 1980. She served that organization as corresponding secretary for eleven years. In recognition of her continuous service to the organization and as an an example of the charity, love, and unity Catholic Daughters strive to share, Sylvia was named "Catholic Daughter of the Year" in 1999.
Sylvia supported her children's activities serving as a den mother for her cub scouts, an active member of the Spartan Boosters, and as a volunteer at Lumberport Elementary.
She also held membership in the Shinnston Woman's Club and the American Legion Auxiliary as well as delivering Meals on Wheels with John, her husband.
Sylvia worked in retail in The Hat Shoppe, Guarascio's Dress Shop, and Feaster's Jewelers.
She loved her family with all her might celebrating their success with deep pride. She lived her life for them and each and every new grandchild and great-grandchild brought her joy.
Her Italian and West Virginia upbringing proved that strength and a work ethic unmatched as she survived the hardships brought on by the Great Depression and World War II. She had an appreciation for life and loved to cook and dance which she and John did often as well as travel as a couple.
There are no words to fully describe how she will be missed but her influence remains with us through time.
She is survived by her three children: Tina Hanna and husband David of Fairmont, Anita Ballard and husband Chris of Shinnston, and John II and wife Kay of Bridgeport, as well as four grandchildren: Matthew Ballard and wife Staci of Charleston, April Hanna O'Neil of Pittsburgh, Adam Belcastro and wife Rynea of Mount Clare and Adrienne Belcastro Compton of Bridgeport. She had six great-grandchildren: Sylvia, Stella and Gianna Ballard of Charleston, Mason Belcastro of Mount Clare, and Brielle and Ayla Compton of Bridgeport.
She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Lou Belcastro of Lumberport and sisters-in-law Virginia Cerullo of Bridgeport and Mildred Belcastro of Shinnston as well as numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
She celebrated her one hundredth birthday a few months ago with over 71 family members in attendance.
Friends will be received at Harmer Funeral Home in Shinnston, WV from 4PM to 8PM on Wednesday, June 1 and from 4PM to 8PM on Thursday, June 2 with the Holy Rosary recited at 7:30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 on Friday, June 3 at St. Ann's Church in Shinnston with Father Chris Turner and Deacon David Lester officiating. Interment will follow at Shinnston Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, consider contributions to St. Ann Catholic Church, 43 Mahlon Street, Shinnston, WV 26431.

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Published on May 31, 2022