Betty Mae Bell

Betty M. Bell was born April 8, 1920, in Seattle, WA, to parents, Bill and Louise Brandt. Betty and her parents moved to Wenatchee in 1936. Betty graduated from Wenatchee High School in 1939. Betty married Richard "Dick" Bell on December 14, 1941, after having delayed the wedding for a week because of the attack on Pearl Harbor. She worked at F. Dane Larkin, a real estate and insurance business in Wenatchee, as a receptionist and assistant bookkeeper for five years until she had her first son, Roger Bell, who currently resides in Wenatchee. Four years later, she had her second son, Gary Bell, who currently resides in Edmonds, WA. In 1955, she began her volunteer career with the Cub Scouts and later, with the Boy Scouts, as her sons progressed through the ranks. Many locals will probably remember her as she was the main cook on many an expedition in to the Cascades by Troop 18. In 1966, she began volunteering at the local YMCA and started the HELPS program (Health and Encouragement to Lose Pounds Sensibly) and continued to run the program for 12 years. At least 1500 ladies went through the program in the 12 years she was involved. In 1979, she was asked to volunteer at the Gift Shop at the North Central Washington Museum and enjoyed doing so for the 15 years that she volunteered there. Betty also donated her time to coordinate the museum volunteer work schedules and worked in the upstairs art gallery and planned the monthly entertainment programs called "Funday Monday." Betty and Dick were extremely busy and involved in the Kiwanis organization over the years. When she had time away from her volunteer activities, her love was art. The Museum has several of her pen and ink sketches and water colors of historical buildings in the Wenatchee area on exhibit. During her last several years, she would give her paintings to good friends, so they would be enjoyed by others. After her husband, Dick, passed away in 1997, her outside activities began to diminish. She did volunteer coordination for the museum for a while and enjoyed the visits from her family. The most important thing in Betty's life was her family. Her motto was, "To love everyone, no matter what, and always be thankful and appreciative." In addition to her two sons, Betty is survived by three grandchildren, Richard T. Bell, Anne E. Bell and Richard Casey. A Memorial Service is scheduled for Friday, August 10, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at Jones & Jones~Betts Memorial Chapel in Wenatchee. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center, 127 S. Mission Street, Wenatchee, would be appreciated. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guestbook at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements are by Jones & Jones~Betts Funeral Home.

Tributes

Betty Mae Bell

April 8, 1920 - July 26, 2012