Beverly Fletcher Bellegia, 81, of Niagara Falls, NY died on Saturday January 10, 2009 at Niagara Hospice House in Lockport, NY after a brief illness. Born October 4, 1927 in Boston, MA she was the daughter of the late Charles and Hazel (Morrill) Fletcher.

She attended local schools in Boston, MA and came to Western New York with her family where she graduated from Kenmore East High School. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Buffalo State Teachers College and her Masters Degree from Niagara University. Miss Bev, as she was known to all, started with her first dance studio at the early age of sixteen in Kenmore, NY. She was the owner of Miss Bev's Dance Studio in Niagara Falls, NY for over fifty five years teaching and nurturing numerous students in the art of dance. Miss Bev was instrumental in developing the theater program at Niagara University where she did all the choreography for their musical productions and was on their faculty until her retirement.

Miss Bev was the author of Tap Dictionaire which is published by Princeton Books and is used by many colleges and universities in their theater arts programs as their textbook, as well as by many dance teachers as their reference guide. She wrote the syllabus for the certification exam in tap for the Dance Masters of America Organization. Miss Bev was a well known and respected adjudicator in the United States and Canada. She also developed her own tap shoe that was marketed and produced by Capezio Shoes for many years. Miss Bev started her own dance company in 1975 called Am-Dance which traveled around the country performing and for many years she was a guest choreographer at Artpark in Lewiston, NY.

Miss Bev is survived by two daughters Bambi Feuz of Niagara Falls, NY and Robin (Carl) Bishara of Lewiston, NY and
five grandchildren; Kaitlyn Bishara, Matthew Bishara, Brent Feuz, Blake Feuz and Bryce Feuz.

Friends may call on Monday from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY where funeral services will be held on Tuesday January 13th at 10 a.m. with Brother Augustine Towey C.M. officiating. Interment will be held in Riverdale Cemetery, Lewiston, NY. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Niagara Hospice, Inc. or Niagara Hospice House, 4675 Sunset Dr. Lockport, NY 14094.