Belle Rossman

Belle Rossman, a woman whose long life was marked by boundless energy, an independent spirit, and a deep love of family and community, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2026, just shy of her 103rd birthday.

Belle was born on April 27, 1923, in Springfield, Illinois, to Isaac and Anna Feltenstein. She possessed a vibrant spirit and was known for her warmth, her uncanny ability to budget food and clothing for a very large family, her many hours volunteering at her children's schools early in life, and in her senior years for BACOA, and her ability to bring people of all ages together. During her children's teen years Belle was a comforting and wise resource for many of their friends. While Belle worked successfully for many years as an office manager, it was her family and community life that was most important and meaningful to her.

In November of 1942, Belle married the love of her life, Kenneth “Duke” Rossman. They built a life together founded on shared goals, faith, family, companionship and love until his passing on April 25, 1998. Their love and marriage of over 50 years remained a cherished part of Belle’s continuing life story.

Belle was a very social and energetic woman who found great joy in helping others and engaging with her community throughout her life. In her 90's, she was honored for her many hours as a volunteer by BACOA. For several years, Belle was an enthusiastic bingo caller at the weekly BACOA lunch meetings. She also introduced senior groups to a variety of board games and card games (in particular, UNO while at LBW). At LBW she began playing bingo herself and was known for her enthusiastic chant of "22". Throughout her life, people of all ages looked forward to seeing and spending time with her. Belle had a special gift for encouraging connections and fun.

For many years, Belle enjoyed baking, reading, various crafts, working on puzzles, playing games and following sports. She was an avid fan particularly of basketball. She was also an excellent home cook, famous for her pot roast, beef stew, fried chicken, stuffed pork chops, cole slaw, potato salad, chocolate chip cookies and banana cream pie (to name a few). Belle thrived in her role as a hostess for gatherings often centered deliciously around food. She had a great sense of style, both in personal dress and home decor.

Famously independent, Belle remained in her own home until the age of 99. She then moved to the Lake Barrington Woods community, where she embraced a new chapter of life with the openness, determination, energy and positivity that had always defined her. She formed new friendships and continued to enjoy the social connections that meant so much to her.

Belle will be remembered for her longevity, her ability and determination to overcome many life challenges, her spirited personality, and the countless lives she touched through her kindness and involvement. She has left a lasting impact on the communities she lived in and will be remembered with deep affection by all who knew her.

Belle is deeply missed by her family: her loving children, Michael (Martha) Rossman, Sherry Rossman, Jim (Laura) Rossman, Bill Rossman, Esther (John) Sciaccotta; her adoring grandchildren, Ken Rossman, Michelle (fiancé Evan Pierri) Rossman, Andrew (Caroline) Rossman, JC (Nicki) Sciaccotta, Michael (Hailey) Sciaccotta, Anna (Peter) Radwanski, and Joey Sciaccotta; her great-grandchildren, Oliver, Leo, Leah Belle and Elizabeth Belle; her son-in-law, Jesus Flores, and her nephew Gary (Judy) Goodman.

In addition to her husband, Belle was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Esther, Rose and Mickey; her children, Joe and Mitzi; and her niece and nephew, Sandra and Irv.

A celebration of Belle’s life will take place at Lake Barrington Woods, 22320 Classic Ct., Lake Barrington, IL 60010, on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org or WINGS PROGRAM, INC., wingsprogram.com