Caroline Lois Bello Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Caroline Cooper Bello A dedicated mother, grandmother and friend who will never be forgotten by those who knew and loved her, Caroline suffered a sudden heart attack and passed away on May 15th, 2022. She was an active member of the Cattlewomen's Association, and had just returned from a trial ride which was thoroughly enjoyed with family and friends. Born in 1941 in San Luis Obispo, she was the daughter of Maurice and Jane Cooper who could trace their heritage to the earliest days of agriculture and homesteading in the county. For 28 years, her family farmed 5,000 acres of the La Panza Land and Cattle Company on the Carrizo Plain. Caroline attended Simmler elementary where she enjoyed playing sports and taught her brother to dance when the school doubled as a community center. She later attended Atascadero Junior High and Templeton High School where she was a tennis player, Majorette, 4-h member, and 1959 graduate. That same year, she was also given the honor of representing agriculture as the Paso Robles Pioneer Day parade queen. A home economist at an early age, she learned much from her mother by being involved with meal preparation for Summer harvest crews. This inspired her to seek an education in Home Economics at Cal Poly where she received a Bachelor's degree in 1963 followed by a Master's Degree and teaching credential. On June 29th, 1963, Caroline married Tom Bello and they enjoyed a beautiful wedding reception in the historic rotunda of the Atascadero Administration building. For several years following, Caroline taught Home Econimics and P.E at Old Mission and Morro Bay High Schools until leaving to start a family and work with Tom at Bello's Sporting Goods. Located on Monterey Street from 1945 until 2005, Bello's was a family business where Tom and Caroline developed many lifelong friendships while raising their two children and building a new home in Edna Valley. Caroline was very active and involved in the design of the new home where she incorporated one of the county's first solar water heating systems and the latest in appliances. Caroline did so much during her life. Everything from being a lifeguard to a teacher to a fantastic mother, but above all, she always encouraged herself and others to better themselves through continued learning. She persuaded her brother, son, and daughter to attend college. She helped Tom at work by managing the women's apparel department and traveling to tradeshows. She learned to snow ski, play golf, horseback ride and paint. She visited schools with the Cattlewomen's Association, promoted their scholarship program and was named Cattlewoman of the year for 1993. She was fun, fashionable and an excellent cook who loved her animals including several Corgis. A ray of sunshine and good conversationalist, she readily made new friends and will be greatly missed. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to your favorite charity or to the San Luis Obispo Cattle Women's Association Scholarship Fund, 250 Frontier Way, Templeton, CA 93465 A celebration of life will be held at Madonna Inn on July 23rd at 11:30.

Caroline Lois Bello

May 15, 2022