BELL, Doreen (Judy)

1922 ~ 2004

Judy was born in Twickenham, England on May 23, 1922. She remembered a wonderful childhood living in the English countryside and holidaying at Weston-super-mare with her beloved parents, Aubrey and Olive, and her brother, Des, who she has always adored.

As was common in those days, Judy left school at the age of 14 to begin her secretarial training at Clark鈥檚 College in Bristol. She was 17 when the war broke out and over the years has told many hilarious stories of life in the shelters and her time working in the Land Army and for the American First Army鈥攕he always said it was the laughter that saw them through such dangerous times. In quieter moments, Judy would reflect on the tragedies of war and the loss of so many of her peers. It was a sadness she would carry with her all her life.

In August 1945, Judy married Howard Siddall following a 6 year engagement. Howard passed away in February 1946. Determined to begin a new life in Canada, Judy and her young daughter crossed the Atlantic in October of 1947. She married Neil Bell that year and they spent the following years in Kingston, Calgary, and Trail where their son, Graham, was born and later, on to Vancouver. Judy stayed at home with her children through their growing up years and then entered the workforce using her excellent training as a shorthand-typist. She had a busy and challenging career as an executive secretary at MacMillan Bloedel鈥檚 Head Office in Vancouver until her retirement in 1975.

In 1986, Judy made her move to the Comox Valley to be able to participate in the lives of her grandchildren鈥擜lissa (Paul) Pratt, Hayley and Roger Vernon; Jeffrey, Terry and Keith Bell. She loved every minute she could spend with them and they have always been grateful for their Grandma鈥檚 devotion. Judy was very outgoing and it was easy for her to develop lasting friendships. She always appreciated being welcomed into our community and the consideration she received from local businesses and services.

As Judy鈥檚 health deteriorated, she was forever thankful for the support of her family and her close friend and caregiver, Lynn. She passed away peacefully on August 16, 2004 in the caring atmosphere of the Palliative Care Unit of St. Joseph鈥檚. Judy will be forever remembered by her daughter, Rosemary (Ric) Vernon; her son, Graham (Leslie) Bell; her 6 grandchildren and grandson-in-law; her brother, Des (Norma) Coles and family; Neil Bell; Olive Bell and family; Frances Bell and family; her special family in England; and the valued friends she made throughout her life.

There will be no service by request. If desired, a donation in Judy鈥檚 memory to the 3rd Floor Palliative Care Unit of St. Joseph鈥檚 General Hospital (2137 Comox Ave., Comox, BC, V9M 1P2) would be gratefully appreciated.

Thank you to Piercy鈥檚 ~ Mt. Washington for the arrangements.

We will always watch for the open skies and listen

for the whistle of the train ~ our love goes with you, Mom.