Doris "Evelyn" Bell passed away on Monday, August 26, 2013 in hospital after a short illness. She was predeceased by her parents, Gesner and Sarah Lawrence; husband, Merlin Bell; sister, Rosina (Perce) Underwood; brother, Euler "Lou" (Ethel) Lawrence; two sons, Arthur and Walter; brother-in-law, Neil McCaskill; son-in-law, Blake Brown; great granddaughter, Kyra Sirett and grandson-in-law, Keith Atkinson. Mum was born in Belmont, Manitoba. The family moved to Colgate when she was eight, where her father was a section foreman. Her memories of her childhood are of music, laughter and her father's beautiful tenor voice. She married Merlin Bell in 1939 and, with the exception of a few months in Estevan, they lived all their young life in Colgate. Mum was a homebody who kept a clean house filled with laughter, music and food. Everyone was welcome and most often there was an extra mouth or two at the table. Even with seven children our house always had room for out-of-town relatives and friends to stay. Mum was well travelled, thanks to Dad's wanderlust, but home was where she wanted to be. As the family grew to 21 grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren she had lots of opportunity to ply her soft-spoken, patient, card-playing, back-rubbing grandma role. Mum was active in the community and church playing the piano, leading C.G.I.T., curling, and, of course, taking food to every function. She was a proud member of the Colgate Hospital Guild from its inception to its conclusion a few years ago, usually serving as treasurer. When Mum and Dad retired to Weyburn they spent two summers running the concession stand at Nickel Lake, where she often had as many children helping her behind the counter as there were customers. "Retirement in the city" for Mum just meant she didn't have to take meals to the field and gave her more time to play with whatever grandchild was visiting. Perhaps she was also able to have more free time to devote to her quilting and afghan knitting. Failing health forced them to give up their house and move to Parkway Lodge in 2006. Evelyn will be lovingly remembered by her daughters-in-law, Dorraine (Lorne) Hansen of Saskatoon, and Linda Bell of Calgary, AB; daughter, Darlene Brown of Prince Albert; sons, Frank (Lynda) of Weyburn, and Roy (Louise) of Weyburn; daughter, Connie (Larry) Boyle of Rouleau; son, Don (Cindy) Bell of Weyburn; sister, Lillian McCaskill of Gladstone, MB; sister-in-law, Levearn Bell of Weyburn; 21 grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service was held on Thursday, August 29, at 2:00 pm from Grace United Church with Reverend M. Barnabas officiating. Interment followed at Green Acres Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers were Michael Bell, Cam Brown, Wade Bell, Robb Bell, Rick Boyle, Luk Bell and Stacey Atkinson. Donations in memory of Evelyn may be made to: Art Bell Memorial Fund College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Health Science Building, Room A204, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5E5. Condolences may be left at: www.fletcherfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, 306-842-5432.
