Zalpha (Bellamah) Ratter

Zalpha (nee Bellamah) Ratter, 99, of the Town of Niagara, NY, passed from this life on Friday, January 15, 2016 at her residence.  Born on December 31, 1916 in Greenville, NC, she was the daughter of the late Bellamah and Eva (Awad) Bellamah.  On February 15, 1947, she married Roland W. Ratter.  He predeceased her on March 24, 2008.

Zalpha's father emigrated to the United States from Lebanon in 1889.  Because her mother Eva had died in childbirth in 1922,   Zalpha's father sent his two daughters back to Lebanon to stay with their mother's family.  They attended a boarding school in Syria taught by Belgian nuns who spoke only French.  Because of this upbringing, she spoke fluent English, French and Arabic. Zalpha and her sister Victoria returned to the United States in 1936. As World War II broke out, Zalpha joined the United States Women's Army Corp (WAC) on August 15, 1943 hoping to be useful as a translator in North Africa.  She was stationed in London during the Blitz.  She served until her honorable discharge on September 21, 1945.

Mrs. Ratter returned to North Carolina and in 1947, came to Niagara Falls, NY.  Before her marriage, Zalpha worked as a secretary for various businesses and the University at Buffalo and later for Great Lakes Carbon, until she and Roland began raising a family.  Together, they built their home in the Town of Niagara in 1949-50 . Mrs. Ratter was a longtime member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, where she attended the St. Leo's worship site.  Zalpha served as a lector and extraordinary minister and was active with St. Leo's Apostolic Committee and Altar Rosary Society. The couple made thousands of rosaries to send to the Catholic missions throughout their life.  She also was awarded the St. Joseph the Worker Award.  Mrs. Ratter enjoyed bowling and sewing. At the time of her death, Mrs. Ratter was the oldest resident of the Town of Niagara. 

Mrs. Ratter is survived by three daughters, Marie (Ken) Jackson, Katy (Greg) Eberhardt and Elisabeth (Jerry) Sigoloff; grandchildren, Jeffrey (Marta) Jackson, Lisa (Jeff) Biesinger, Scott (Amy) Eberhardt and Heather (Mike) Filing; great-grandchildren, Julia, Quinn and Blake Jackson, Olivia Biesinger, Owen and Emery Filing and Parker Eberhardt and her dear friends Terry, Tommy and Lexi Lasher.  In addition to her parents and husband, Zalpha was predeceased by three siblings, Victor (late Mary) Bellamah, Fred (late Patricia) Bellamah and Victoria (late Howard) Phillips.

Visitation will be on Friday January 22nd from 4-7 p.m. in the Chapel of OTTO REDANZ FUNERAL  HOME, 2215 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY (716-297-9007).  Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, January 23rd at 10:00 a.m. which will be celebrated in St. Vincent de Paul Parish at the St. Leo's worship site, 2748 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY.  EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT THE CHURCH. Prayers of committal and entombment, concluding with military honors, will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston, NY.  Please visit www.ottoredanz.com to leave a personal message for the family.