Apollonia “Bella” (Silecchia) Reber, of Kitty Hawk, NC passed away peacefully on December 8, 2022 surrounded by loved ones.

Bella was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1937. NYC was home until her family moved to Amityville, Long Island to open their family business. Bella is a graduate of Amityville High School and a proud Alumni of the Brooklyn School of Nursing, where she met her husband Javan “Jay” Reber. In 1960 they moved to Long Island, NY where they began their family life, and both worked as Registered Nurses.

As a nurse Bella especially loved her time nursing in the emergency room. She enjoyed talking to her patients, finding out what their needs are and helping them out. She loved to sing, often off-key, but her heart was in it. She enjoyed trips to the beach, traveling, and attending family gatherings near and far. Shining like the star she was, Bella starred in several local productions of musicals and comedies.

Bella loved volunteering throughout her life and served as a Brownie Leader, Treasurer of Boy Scout Troop 67, Carlisle NY, Captain of the Carlisle Fire Department Rescue squad, member of ladies’ auxiliary, and member of the Red Hat Chapter Chapeau Rouge.  Bella was also a representative of older adults with GEM, SHIPP and the Dare County Older Adult Advisory Council.

Bella always found strength in her Lord and Savior. She finally fulfilled her dream of doing missionary work abroad in Bulgaria with the Ocean View Baptist Church in 2017. Bella treasured her family, her small groups at Liberty Christian Fellowship, and was devoted to friends, all of whom will miss her deeply.

Bella was predeceased by her parents John and Raffaela Silecchia, her beloved husband of 48 years Jay Reber, and older sister, Jenny Occhiogrosso. Bella is survived by her sister Angela Pearlstein (Stan) of Cary, NC and brother Angelo Silecchia (Carmela) of Farmingdale, NJ. Her four children, daughter, Margaret Dennis (Neal) of Kill Devil Hills, NC; Maria Debraccio of Kitty Hawk, NC, Richard Reber (Jennifer) of Wake Forest, NC and John Reber (Claire), Orlando, Florida. Her five grandchildren (Beth, Ericka, Tyler, Jennifer and Jayden) and three great grandchildren (Emily, Payten and Tanner) and several nieces and nephews, their spouses and partners.

Consistent with her wishes, Bella did not want a fuss made or a funeral service. A memorial will be held on Sunday, December 18, 2022 at Liberty Christian Fellowship, 244 Williams Dr. in Colington.

We encourage those who want to honor Mom’s memory to make donations to the new Camp Emmanuel Family Life Center or online at: www.Libertyobx.com/give/give-online.

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