Mary (Frye) Bellebuono

Mary Frances Bellebuono, 79 of Madison, passed away on May 17, 2021. Mary was born March 20, 1942 in Baltimore to Albert and Mary Frye. She married Benvenuto Bellebuono in 1963 in Baltimore, and after a brief time in Charlotte, they moved to Stone Mountain and raised their family there before relocating to Madison in 1996.

After years as a stay-at-home mother, Mary took her life-long passion for hair styling to the next level. Well into middle age, she apprenticed at Sandee’s Salon in Tucker, GA, quickly earning her cosmetology license and creating a career filled with regular customers who became family to her. When Mary retired from the salon after moving to Madison, her customers and friends followed her to the country, visiting for long afternoons of her delicious homemade food, connection, and, of course, time in Mary’s chair getting that haircut or style that only she could do.

Mary loved tending and feeding those she loved, human or animal. Despite physical limitations in recent years, she found ways to feed and water her beloved birds every day. Most of those who knew Mary will have been offered good food, or a haircut, just because.

Mary relished the bounty of a summer garden, planted dutifully by Ben each spring, which provided the tomatoes for canning and the making of her often requested and much loved tomato sauce. Anyone who tasted Mary’s tomato sauce and meatballs always asked for more to take home. Mary’s joy centered around remembering others—whether with a birthday card, a personal email, or food made with love.

Mary is survived by her son Rocco & wife Kristin, grandchildren Gabriel & Madia, her daughter, Angelina, her sister Colleen Cotter, nieces Jessica, Megan, Christine and Kimberly, and nephew T.J. She was preceded in death by her husband Ben in 2019.

The family invites Mary’s friends to gather for a Celebration of Life on Saturday, August 14, 2021 from 3 to 5 PM at A.E. Carter Funeral Home.

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