Obituary of Mary-Ellen Bell

It is with deep sadness that her family announces the death of Mary-Ellen Bell. She died peacefully in the early morning hours of July 30th, 2007 at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Beloved wife of the late George E. Bell. Loving and devoted mother of Jilean (Mark Rotharmel). Much-loved and devoted "Nanny" to her grandchildren Owen and Marina. Mary-Ellen was very fortunate to be part of a large and loving family and the support and love of the Thornbury clan extends like a warm embrace to all of us. She was also blessed with the love of many caring nieces and nephews who thought the world of her. Her deep connection to her family extended to her beloved grandchildren upon whom she bestowed praise, affection and love. She created many wonderful memories for her family that they will cherish forever. Mary-Ellen touched everyone she knew with her thoughtfulness, warmth and generosity. She lived life to the fullest and pursued many activities and interests. She was a beautiful and elegant woman and a natural athlete who excelled at many sports from semi-pro baseball to golfing and competitive curling and, in her later years, she took up tai chi. She had a lengthy career at Confederation Life before her marriage, quite an accomplishment in those days. Mary-Ellen's varied interests ranged from antique-hunting to gardening and she happily enjoyed traveling near and far - whether at the cottage preparing for large gatherings of family and friends or traveling across Canada and the U.S. Underpinning all these things were her strong sense of family values and her care and concern for others. Mary-Ellen was an active volunteer at a great number of church and community events throughout her lifetime. Her strong sense of values, her boundless energy and her love of life are among the many memories of Mary-Ellen we will hold close to our hearts. The family wishes to thank their friends, neighbours and extended family for their love and support and to thank Sylvia Partab, Mary-Ellen's friend and companion, for her compassion and caring from the first moment we met her. The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME - A.W. MILES CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Eglinton Avenue East), from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, August 2nd. A Family Service of Remembrance and Celebration for Mary-Ellen's life will be held in WOODVILLE UNITED CHURCH, Woodville, Ontario on Friday, August 3rd at 1:00 p.m. Interment at Smith's Cemetery, Woodville. Reception to follow at Woodville United Church. If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations in Mary-Ellen's name may be made to the Sunnybrook Foundation or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.