Griffith woman shared love of music

Arlene Belush taught piano for 50 years, and sounds of recorded classical and opera songs always filled the home.

"As children, we always heard music when we came home from school as there were piano students in the house," son Brad Belush said. "We would hear music all through the afternoon and into the evening."

Arlene Sylvia Belush, 78, of Griffith, died Jan. 24.

As her four children grew, Belush took them on annual opera excursions.

"Her family was musical," Brad Belush said. "Her brothers and sisters all played and sang, especially at Christmas when we would get together. They would be harmonizing and singing Christmas carols all night long."

Belush was a founding member of the former Northwest Indiana Opera Theatre, which staged productions at Griffith High School.

She and her husband of 32 years, the late Edward Belush, shared a love of music. He played piano and ukulele and sang in a barbershop quartet.

Belush taught her children the importance of family and church, and to treat people with kindness and not be judgmental. Belush was active at St. Mary's Church in Griffith and belonged to the Rosary Society. She helped in the church kitchen and taught Confraternity of Christian Doctrine classes.

Belush, who was friendly and outgoing, used those traits through Welcome Wagon when the group first started in Northwest Indiana.

"She always had a smile for everybody," her son said. "When you saw her, she was concerned about what was going on in your life and would always listen. She was just a sweet person who always had something nice to say."