by Bella DeRosa

It’s been a little over two years since I lost my mom, Mary DeRosa—the heart of our home, the voice of comfort, and the light in every room she entered. She passed away in August of 2022 from metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (MTNBC), a devastating form of breast cancer that takes far too many, far too soon.

My mom didn’t just fight her diagnosis with courage—she lived with grace, love, and an unwavering kindness that touched everyone she met. That spirit didn’t end when she passed. It lives on in our family, and it’s why my dad, my two brothers—Guy John and Joey—and we started a charity in her name.

The Mary DeRosa Charity is dedicated to uplifting families navigating cancer, honoring my mom’s legacy of love, connection, and giving. We created it to carry forward the compassion she gave so freely—and to help others in the ways she always dreamed of.

I’m 17 now, and people sometimes tell me I’m wise beyond my years. I don’t know if that’s true, but I do know that grief changes you. It softens you in some ways and strengthens you in others. You start to see the world differently. You learn to notice small moments, to give more grace, to speak more gently—because you’ve lived through the kind of silence that comes after someone you love is gone.

This blog—After the Belle—is my way of keeping my mom’s voice alive. Not just for me, but for anyone who’s had to find their way forward after loss. It’s about listening closely to what comes after the chaos, after the pain, “after the bell”. It’s about rediscovering hope, softness, and purpose.

I’ll be writing about my journey, the charity, and the moments that keep me connected to her—and to all the people we hope to help through this mission. If my words resonate with you, I’d love for you to follow along, share them, or just sit with them quietly.

And if you feel called to support what we’re building—by getting involved, spreading the word, or giving what you can—we’d be so grateful. Every gesture helps keep her light shining.

Thank you for being here. This is just the beginning—and I’m so glad you’re here at the start.

With love,
Bella

 maryderosa.org
 birdease.com/maryderosa

To learn more about our mission or join us for the 3rd Annual Golf Outing, we invite you to visit the links above. Whether it’s showing up, sharing, or simply reading—thank you. You’re part of this light, too.