Belle Mae (Reynolds) Bruse

Belle Mae (Reynolds) Bruse, 88, passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at home surrounded by her beloved family.

Belle was born on January 15, 1937, in Gloversville, NY, to the late Raymond and Marguerite (Fredenburg) Reynolds. 

Belle had a love for reading. You could always find her in her favorite chair reading the latest Danielle Steel novel. She also loved days spent on the Great Sacandaga Lake and Caroga Lake in the Adirondacks picnicking and camping with her children and grandchildren. 

Belle touched the lives of so many people with her kindness and generosity. She dedicated her life to the service of others. She was a woman of great faith and was a longtime member of the Salvation Army, also spending many hours working with the food pantry and soup kitchen. Belle was also a lifelong member of the ladies auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. This was something that brought her great pride. In addition, Belle started a program at Fulton Montgomery Community College called Project LIFT (Living Independently For Tomorrow) where she worked with displaced homemakers teaching them how to re-enter the workforce and live independent lives, something she was all too familiar with. Belle put herself through college, graduating in 1982 with her associates degree, all while raising her children as a single parent and working two jobs. Belle also spent time working with The Fulmont Development Center and after retiring, she volunteered at the Gloversville Counseling Center, fostering several children in her home. Belle left a mark on this world that won’t be forgotten. 

Belle was predeceased by her father and stepmother Raymond and Marie Reynolds; Mother Marguerite Fredenburg; brothers Raymond Reynolds Jr and Thomas Reynolds; daughter Linda Stewart; and son Jeffrey Stewart.

Belle is survived by her sons David (Laura) Stewart and John (Linda) Joyce; daughters Katherine (John) Ford, Marguerite (Brandon) D’Avignon, and Colleen (Patrick) Purcell; sister Crystal Brewer;  grandchildren; Ryan, Isabella, and Garret Ford, Belle Mae D’Avignon, Tara Brown and John Joyce Jr, David Stewart and Melissa Sweeney, Jessica Ordway and Ashley Purcell; fifteen great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Family and friends are invited to call on Thursday, February 27, 2025, from 4pm to 7pm at Betz, Rossi, Bellinger & Stewart Family Funeral Home, 51 Fremont Street, Gloversville, NY 12078. A service of remembrance will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025, at 10am at the funeral home. Following the service, Belle will be interred at Evergreen Cemetery in Fonda.

To attend Belle's service virtually, please use the following Zoom link on Friday, February 28, 2025, https://zoom.us/j/96827532101

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Salvation Army of Gloversville by mail to P.O. Box 608, Gloversville, NY 12078 or online Donate to the Salvation Army, be sure to include the city of Gloversville, New York. Donations may also be made to Community Hospice of Columbia and Greene Counties at Give to Community Hospice.