Lillian Jo (Leone) Belfonte, 91, of Lee's Summit, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. A private Mass of Christian Burial was held. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to Kansas City Hospice House or St. Mark's Parish in care of Passantino Bros. Funeral Home.

Lillian was born on August 6, 1934, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Henry and Lillian (Costanzo) Leone. She graduated from Northeast High School in 1952 and married her high school sweetheart, Salvatore Belfonte, on February 6, 1954. Sal and Lillian shared 65 years of marriage before his passing.

Lillian was a loving wife, mother, and Nani—a matriarch in the truest sense of the word. She took great pride in caring for her family, demonstrating her love through hugs and kisses, cooking delicious meals, and making all feel genuinely welcomed in her presence. Her warm spirit could be felt by everyone she met. She was the steady center of the family—a source of comfort, tradition, and unconditional love. She had a passion for plants and flowers, and she occasionally enjoyed crocheting. Lillian played an integral role in supporting the family business in its conception and was also known as the official taste tester for Belfonte Ice Cream Company.

Lillian's true passion was creating a home where family was celebrated, prioritized, and deeply loved. She believed that all good things were rooted in family. Her life reflected a quiet faith lived through devotion and love of family. Together, Lillian and Sal had 12 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.

Lillian was preceded in death by her husband, Sal, the love of her life; her parents; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Josephine Belfonte; her sister and brother-in-law, Ann Garrett (Lonnie); her sister-in-law, Jackie Mirabile (Jasper); and her son-in-law, Ernie Stewart.

She is survived by her daughter, JoMarie Stewart (Clifford Thompson); her sons, John (Rosie), David (Kristie), and Henry (Carol); grandchildren Sal Stewart (Allison), Benny Stewart (Windy), Anna Green (Michael), Lillian Giocondo (Chris), JoAnna Van Noy (David), Salvatore Anthony Belfonte (Paige), Henry Belfonte (Marcie), Kristin Davis (Spencer), Johnny Belfonte (Kristin), David John Belfonte (Ashley), Franki Ferguson (Chris), and Sal Michael Belfonte (Leah); and 33 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were her seven grandsons.

The family would like to acknowledge her caregivers—Jennifer, Haydee, Gemma, Gemini, Grace, and Myrna—for providing exceptional care to our mother. The family also extends heartfelt gratitude to Kansas City Hospice for their compassionate care in her final days.

Her legacy lives on in the generations she nurtured and the love that continues to bind her family together.

Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com.