In Loving Memory of Two Siblings Lost Too Soon

Help the Bello Family Lay Shakira Damilola Bello to Rest

In Loving Memory of Two Siblings Lost Too Soon

In 2018, Mrs. Bello made the courageous decision to leave behind the familiar in Nigeria and bring her two beloved children, Shakira Damilola Bello and Quadri Bello, to the United States. Like so many immigrant parents, her hope was anchored in the American dream: to provide her children with a brighter future, quality education, safety, and opportunity. She worked tirelessly, quietly sacrificing everything so her children could chase dreams bigger than she ever had the chance to. Her greatest pride was watching them adapt, grow, and shine in their new home.

But the dream tragically began to unravel in 2020 when her youngest child, Quadri Bello, was gunned down in cold blood in Philadelphia during what was described as a senseless and heartbreaking act of violence. At just 17 years old, Quadri’s life was stolen before it truly began. The devastating loss sent shockwaves through the family and the community. His death was not just a personal tragedy; it became a public wound, reported across major news outlets (https://6abc.com/philadelphia-shooting-teen-shot-killed-in-cell-phone/6398301/). Mrs. Bello buried her only son thousands of miles from home, a grief no mother should ever endure. (https://www.phillyunsolvedmurders.com/cases/solved-cases/1249-quadri-belo-dc-20-22-059699)

Following Quadri’s murder, his older sister, Shakira Damilola Bello, was never the same. Once full of hope and energy, Shakira fell into a deep, dark depression. Her friends in the community, along with family and local organizations, tried everything to support her, offering counseling, companionship, and care. But the psychological wound of her brother’s death consumed her slowly and painfully. Shakira fought bravely, but she couldn’t overcome the weight of her sorrow. On June 29th, 2025, at 1:30 am, she passed away at Penn Hospital, joining her brother far too soon. She was only in her early thirties.

This double tragedy has left Mrs. Bello emotionally broken and financially overwhelmed. She is now faced with the unbearable reality of having to bury a second child, both of whom she brought here for a better life. As a mother with limited resources, she is humbly asking for the support of kind-hearted people around the world. Every dollar donated will go directly toward covering Shakira’s funeral expenses on July 11th, helping the family give her the farewell she deserves. No amount is too small; your compassion could mean the world to this grieving mother.

Let us come together in love and solidarity to help lay Shakira to rest and support a mother whose dreams have been shattered by unimaginable loss. Please donate, share, and keep the Bello family in your prayers. May Quadri and Shakira rest in peace, and may their story remind us all of the fragile gift of life and the strength of community in the face of sorrow.