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Jane Belsito |
Cleveland Ohio 44101 |
Jane Beth Belsito worked in catering from age 7 into her 73rd and final year of life. She was vice president of Executive Caterers at Landerhaven and the middle of three generations to work there.The long-time Bedford resident died Dec. 3 at Hillcrest Hospital from complications of emphysema.
"Catering is like a circus," said Harlan Diamond, Executive Caterers' president and Belsito's companion. "Jane Belsito was the ringmaster.... Nobody did it better."
Belsito booked $3 million to $4 million worth of parites per year and helped with colleagues' parties, too. She catered days-long events for thousands of people apiece at the Cleveland Convention Center and elsewhere.
"Jane was committed to making every special event at the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame memorable," said the hall's chief executive, Terry Stewart. Belsito considered a career highlight to be the hall's week-long opening.
She was born Jane Davis in Cleveland and learned at 7 to make canapes at home from her mother, caterer Ada Davis. The mother joined the fledgling Executive Caterers in 1965 and brought along Belsito. Belsito's three children pitched in there awhile, too.
Colleagues said she worked long hours and did whatever it took to stage a party and save it. During the infamous storm of July 4, 1969, she helped hold down a lakefront tent in Bay Village until the winds died down.
Friends said Belsito was unbeatable in ping pong and rather beatable at gin rummy. She had season tickets to the Indians.
Her funeral took place at Landerhaven, with Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz handling the arrangements. Survivors include her three children and three grandchildren. |
