It is with great sadness that the family of Audrey Bello announce her passing on Wednesday, September 5 at the age of 55 after a courageous and inspiring fight against brain cancer.
Audrey was born on June 14, 1963 to Andrew and Hetty Bello. She graduated from Manhasset High School in 1981 and received a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Bentley College in 1986. After two, 2-year tenures at KPMG Peat Marwick and ConAgra-Geldermann, respectively, Audrey switched gears and began a 28-year career in fashion. This included turns at Anne Klein, Isaac Mizrahi, Calvin Klein, The Natori Company, Kate Spade and Tanner Companies. Audrey spent the last 14 years at Coach (now known as Tapestry) where she was responsible for expanding licensed products into Asian and European markets and building and managing new revenue streams with industry giants such as Estee Lauder, Movado and Disney.
Nineteen years ago, Audrey gave birth to baby girl Maxine followed, one year later, by baby girl Hetty. Being a mother was her greatest accomplishment and life joy. Audrey also had a passion for the Lord and spreading his Good Word. Other fulfilling activities included cooking and entertaining, exercising, traveling, reading (especially about self-improvement), shopping, listening to music (DMB was her fave), swimming and body-surfing (especially at Jones Beach West End 2), skiing and hiking. She was known for her compassion, for her listening and problem-solving skills, her doggedness and unconditional love for her family and many friends from all walks of life.
Audrey was preceded in death by her mother Hetty, step-father Chris and step-mother-in-law Carolyn. Audrey will be forever missed and remembered by her husband and best friend, Bill Donohue, two beautiful daughters, step-sons Paul, Sean and Mark, father Andy, step-mother Suzanne, step-father-in-law William, siblings Matthew and Jacque, step-sister Karla, sisters-in-law Mimi and Jenny, brothers-in-law Craig and Eric, nieces Megan, Caitlin, Hally and Abby, nephews Michael, Alec and Luke, and her many friends and fellow Coachies.
A celebration of Audrey’s life will be held Saturday, Sept. 15, at 11 a.m. at the Living Word Christian Church, 1236 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains, NY. Reception to follow at Mansion on Broadway, 139 N. Broadway, White Plains, NY. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Audrey’s name to: Regional Hospice and Palliative Care (www.regionalhospicect.org) and/or Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (www.mskcc.org).
