Dina's Post-War Story
As Dina prepared for her discharge from the SPARS in 1946, she indicated on one form her plans to live and work in New Orleans, LA, a far cry from her hometown of Cleveland, OH. However, Dina did indeed return to Cleveland, and moved back into her parents' home.
In late August 1946, Dina met up with a few of her best friends from the SPARS in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She maintained a correspondence with several of her SPARS friends for the rest of her life.
In late August 1946, Dina met up with a few of her best friends from the SPARS in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She maintained a correspondence with several of her SPARS friends for the rest of her life.
SPARS mini-reunion in Pittsburg, PA, 24-25 Aug 1946, From left: Dina Licciardi, Betty Carr, Mary Hale, Thelma Hill
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SPARS mini-reunion in Pittsburgh, PA, 24-25 Aug 1946. From left: Betty Carr, Thelma Hill, Mary Hale, Meg Goos, Dina Licciardi
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SPARS mini-reunion in Pittsburgh, PA, 24-25 Aug 1946. From left: Dina Licciardi, Betty Carr, Mary Hale, Thelma Hill
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SPARS mini-reunion in Pittsburgh, PA, 24-25 Aug 1946. From left: Dina Licciardi, Thelma Hill (front), Betty Carr, Mary Hale, Meg Goos
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SPARS mini-reunion in Pittsburgh, PA, 24-25 Aug 1946. From left: Betty Carr, Thelma Hill, Mary Hale, Meg Goos, Dina Licciardi
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SPARS mini-reunion in Pittsburgh, PA, 24-25 Aug 1946. From left: Mary Hale, Thelma Hill, Meg Goos
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William Bellan
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Also in August 1946, Dina attended a Catholic War Veterans event at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Cleveland. It was there she met William Bellan, a 32-year-old Army veteran who had served as a rifle marksman for the 37th Infantry Division and participated in the New Georgia, Guadalcanal, and Bougainville Campaigns in the Pacific Theater. Bill was the youngest son of Croatian immigrants who settled in Cleveland at the turn of the century. After his discharge from the Army, he lived with his father, George, and was still mourning the death of his mother, Ursula, who had passed away in April 1946.
Bill and Dina were formally engaged on Christmas Eve 1946 and their engagement was later announced in the local Catholic War Veterans Newsletter (click for larger image): |
Dina Licciardi and Bill Bellan, NYE 1946
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Catholic War Veterans Post 924 Newsletter, 2 Feb 1947
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Dina wrote about her first meeting with Bill, their courtship, and wedding (transcription is found below):
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"Looking at the above interests it would seem that we were not compatible but somehow we were drawn to each other in spire of not having the same interests."
"We met at Our Lady of Peace veterans' association in August 1946. There were about 125 men and 7 women in the club. Somehow to my annoyance Bill singled me out & everyone started to think of us as a couple. I really wanted to meet some of the other men but eventually his persistence won out. I was drawn to his gentleness & thoughtfulness & loving ways. It was our mutual love of dancing that became a bond & we started dating seriously. When Bill asked me to marry him I was hesitant - it was much too soon (a month after we dated). However I soon changed my mind & we became engaged on Christmas Eve. Bill gave me my ring in church! Although I was 32 he still asked my father for permission to marry me!"
"It was difficult for my parents to understand what I saw in Bill. I had gone with other men but I just didn't find in them the qualities I found in Bill. I had always stated that education & a good job were most important but I had to eat my words because Bill had neither. I have never regretted my decision & as I write 35 years later, I thank God for him every day. We were married Sept 27, 1947."
"Our wedding day was a beautiful Indian Summer day. Things prior to the wedding were not always perfect however. I had a big argument with my father in regard to the people invited & also the sort of reception. Bill & I did NOT want a big wedding but my father did. Well, he won but not without many angry words. This is all behind me now of course but it was very difficult at the time."
"Our reception was at the Statler Hotel on 12th & Euclid. It was lovely & everyone enjoyed so I guess."
"We met at Our Lady of Peace veterans' association in August 1946. There were about 125 men and 7 women in the club. Somehow to my annoyance Bill singled me out & everyone started to think of us as a couple. I really wanted to meet some of the other men but eventually his persistence won out. I was drawn to his gentleness & thoughtfulness & loving ways. It was our mutual love of dancing that became a bond & we started dating seriously. When Bill asked me to marry him I was hesitant - it was much too soon (a month after we dated). However I soon changed my mind & we became engaged on Christmas Eve. Bill gave me my ring in church! Although I was 32 he still asked my father for permission to marry me!"
"It was difficult for my parents to understand what I saw in Bill. I had gone with other men but I just didn't find in them the qualities I found in Bill. I had always stated that education & a good job were most important but I had to eat my words because Bill had neither. I have never regretted my decision & as I write 35 years later, I thank God for him every day. We were married Sept 27, 1947."
"Our wedding day was a beautiful Indian Summer day. Things prior to the wedding were not always perfect however. I had a big argument with my father in regard to the people invited & also the sort of reception. Bill & I did NOT want a big wedding but my father did. Well, he won but not without many angry words. This is all behind me now of course but it was very difficult at the time."
"Our reception was at the Statler Hotel on 12th & Euclid. It was lovely & everyone enjoyed so I guess."
Bill and Dina had been married for 41 years when Bill passed away in early 1989. Together, they raised two children and they were both very active in their church community, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Parma, Ohio. Bill loved golfing and woodworking, while Dina loved entertaining, cooking, reading, and playing cards.
