Carol Bellman Dresselaers, 89, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2026.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts on March 5, 1937, Carol was the beloved daughter of the late August Henry Bellman and Margaret Hazel Paley Bellman. Graceful, warmhearted, and deeply devoted to the people she loved, Carol lived a life centered on faith, friendship, and family.
Carol was a devoted homemaker and a woman of unwavering Christian faith. Since 1994, she had been a faithful and active member of New Hope Christian Fellowship, where she formed many treasured friendships and became a beloved part of the church family. It was often said that if the church doors were open, Carol would be there. Her faith was not simply something she practiced on Sundays, but the foundation of her daily life. Among the many dear friendships she cherished through the years, Ms. Betty and Ms.Genelda held a particularly special place in her heart.
Carol shared 37 loving years of marriage with her husband, Philip Dresselaers, until his passing in 1998. During Philip’s service in the United States Army, the couple spent time living in Germany, an experience Carol remembered fondly throughout her life.
She was a loving and devoted mother to her three sons, John, Jim, and Joel, and a proud grandmother to five grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren who brought her so much joy.
Carol possessed a rare gift for making others feel welcomed and valued. She truly never met a stranger. She delighted in simple pleasures: long lunches with friends, especially outings to Cracker Barrel, visits shared over conversation and laughter, and the comforting sound of British Broadcasting Network radio softly playing in the background throughout her home. Her home and heart were always open to those she loved.
Those who knew Carol will remember her gentle spirit, enduring kindness, elegant warmth, and steadfast faith. She leaves behind a legacy of friendship, compassion, and quiet devotion that will continue to live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.
Carol will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Philip, at Massachusetts National Cemetery on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 12:30pm.
