Mary Bellonger, 77

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - Elizabeth (Darling) Bellonger, 77, of Sioux Falls, S.D., and formerly of Williamstown, Mass., passed away surrounded by loved ones on Friday, November 8, 2019, at the Williamstown Commons.

Mary was born in North Adams, Mass., on December 25, 1941, to the late Arthur and Ruth (Haskins) Darling and resided at the family homestead on North Street in Williamstown. After graduating from Williamstown High School in 1959, she worked in various town establishments such as Dox Drugs, Chef’s Hat and North Adams Regional Hospital as a secretary in the lab. One of her most proud endeavors, Mary graduated from the Nursing Program at McCann Technical School as an LPN at the age of 42 and became employed at the North Adams Regional Hospital once again as an LPN. Her nursing career continued at the locally owned Sweetbrook Nursing Home until her retirement.

Mary and her former husband, Richard “Bud” Trombley, provided foster care to over 80 juveniles over a 20-year period. She remarried on December 21, 2005, and relocated to Sioux Falls, S.D., but Williamstown was always home. After a lengthy battle with cancer, she took the only flight of her life aboard an Angel Medflight to get back to town and family for her final days.

Mary is survived by her husband, Terry Bellonger, of Sioux Falls, S.D., and her beloved dog Misha. She is also survived by her daughter, Andrea Bryant, and her husband Daniel of Williamstown, Mass.; her son, Richard Kenneth Trombley Jr. and his wife Tammy of North Pownal, Vt.; as well as stepchildren Troy Bellonger, Terri Lynne Johnson and Timothy Bellonger, all of Sioux Falls; five grandchildren, Richard K. Trombley III of Bennington, Vt., Amber Pease and her husband Nicholas of Williamstown, James Bryant and his wife Emily of North Adams, and Alyssa and Luke Trombley, both of North Pownal, Vt.; five great-grandchildren, Emily, Haven, Autumn, Noah and Ava; her elder sister Brenda Gaylord of Bradenton, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her siblings, Joan (Lestage) Mason, Linda (Darling) Cox, Perry Darling and Robert Darling.

She held very close relationships with former family members, Holly Mead and Joel Alvarado, who remained family to her.

Funeral notice: Services for Mary will be held on Thursday, November 14, 2019, at 1 p.m. at the Sherman Burbank Memorial Chapel in Williamstown followed by a burial at the family plot in Westlawn Cemetery. Donations are suggested to go to Autism Speaks in care of the Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home, 521 West Main St., North Adams, Mass., who are in charge of arrangements. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.