WATERBURY- It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Emily Ann (Petulla) Bellefeuille, most known as “Millie”, age 95, of Waterbury, shares the news of her peaceful passing on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, surrounded by her loving family in the comfort of her home. She was the beloved widow of Joseph R. Bellefeuille.

Emily was born on May 28, 1930, in Brooklyn, New York, the beloved daughter of the late Frank Petulla and Mary (Sanatessa) Petulla. She grew up in Brooklyn, where she graduated from St. Michaels Grammar School and attended Bay Ridge High School. After she began her career at Richlon Pearl in Brooklyn and later worked at the National Council on Compensation Insurance in New York. Emily dedicated 21 years of her professional life to Sears Roebuck as a Catalog Sales Associate, where her cheerful spirit and commitment touched the hearts of many. In Brooklyn she would capture the heart of her beloved husband. She often reminisced about their early days together, recalling how he would call across the street at the local grocery store to get her on the phone to get her attention. In 1951, Emily relocated to Waterbury, Connecticut, where she married the love of her life, Joseph R. Bellefeuille. Together, they shared an incredible 69 years of marriage, raising their five beloved children in a household filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories.

As a faithful member of Saint Francis Xavier Church, she found strength and community in her deep faith. Emily’s passions included walking and gardening, and preparing special meals for her family, including memorable "macaroni Sundays" with Joe’s homemade wine. In 1989, Emily relocated to Bonita Springs, Florida, where she continued to have treasured friendships and create lifelong memories. Her warmth, compassion, and smile will forever be cherished by those who were fortunate enough to know her.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Emily’s personal healthcare aide, Jesse, and family friend Margaret Vaccarelli, for their compassion, care, and support.

Left to honor and cherish her memory and legacy are her children; Jim Bellefeuille and his wife Evelyn, Janice LaPlaca and her husband Jerry, Judy Surprise and her husband Donald, Jean E. Freeman and her husband Jim, and Joanne Casavant and her husband Leo, her grandchildren; Paul Swift, Krista Crosdale, Jennifer Levin, Melissa Lohr, Julie LaPlaca, Jessica Casavant, Michael Surprise, Janelle LaPlaca, and Eric Casavant and 15 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her adopted family friends; Isabel and Marty Martins, Joe Hurbon and Sue Matyszyk. She was predeceased by her sister Anna Kouveras.

Funeral services for Mrs. Bellefeuille will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 10:00 am, when a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier Church, 625 Baldwin St, Waterbury. Those planning to attend are kindly asked to meet directly at the church. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to pay respects, and visit with the Bellefeuille family on Friday, January 30, 2026, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Casey's Eastside Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 1987 East Main St Waterbury CT 06705. In only takes a moment to send a message of condolence, words of comfort, or share a memory with the family and friends of someone important to you. To send a memorial gift to the family, please visit the funeral home website at www.caseyfunerals.com.