Anne-Marie Hammond Bell

With broken but full hearts we announce that our mother, Anne-Marie, passed away, peacefully on May 22, 2022 in her 96th year. Predeceased by her husband Tom and grandsons, Spencer Bell and Christopher Pilkey.

Born at home in St. Lambert, Quebec to American parents Benjamin Hammond Sr. and Pauline Mary Betters. She attended the St. Lambert Convent where she received musical instruction in piano and choir. As an active parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Church, she enjoyed being part of the Social Committee and singing in the choir.

While a member of the Country Club of Montreal Golf Club, she met the love of her life, Thomas Reid Bell, and married in June 1954. Together, they settled and raised their family of 5 children in their beloved St. Lambert until they eventually moved to Ontario. Although a homebody at heart, she and Tom travelled the world but she was always happy to get home to her family. Their 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren were her world. She loved nothing more than gathering the family, siblings, nieces and nephews at every opportunity possible, especially at the Bell’s Retreat in Ogunquit, Maine and in St. Sauveur-des-Monts.

Anne-Marie and Tom shared a love of music, which was an ever-present theme. Family, friends, food, knitting, gardening, Bridge and a well-chilled bottle of white wine were but a few of her “Favourite Things.”

Anne-Marie will be dearly missed by her children: Paula (David Pilkey), Carole (Grant Valle), Stephen (Moira Regan), Ian (Carolyn McSwan) and Brian. Her grandchildren: Jenny Pilkey (Keith Davidson), Eliza Pilkey (Adam Gitto), Caitlin Valle, Sarah Valle, Victoria Valle (Brandon Douglas) Tom (Jessica Miles), Andrew, Lauren (Tim McDivitt,) Chrissy, Kurtis, Devon and Riley, her great-grandchildren: Emma, Lennon, Connor and Rowan, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Villages of Riverside Glen and a special debt of gratitude to her life-long friend, Jo Sherman. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Special Olympics would be greatly appreciated.

Anne-Marie’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will celebrate her wonderful life in a private event. Interment will take place at a future date in St. Lambert, Quebec.

Love you more! Mummy!