Audrey L. Bell

Bell, Audrey Lea (Coss) 91, of Clearwater, died peacefully on March 2, 2016. Audrey was born in Paw Paw, IL. and was an RN, graduating from Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, IL. She served as a polio nurse and later as a private duty nurse. She met her husband of 60 years, G. Richard (Dick) Bell while he was a patient at the end of WWII, returning from service in the S. Pacific. Audrey and Dick moved to Florida in 1963, moving to Ft Myers and then the Tampa Bay area in 1967. She insisted on a return airline ticket to Illinois in case she didn't like living in Florida. She never used the ticket, growing to love Florida, the wildlife, warm weather and the flowers. Audrey became active in Rotary Anns (spouses of Rotarians) when Dick joined Rotary in 1970. She joined Clearwater East Rotary in 1990 and served as president in 2003-04. She actively supported Rotary's effort to eradicate Polio worldwide and was a member of the Arch C Klumph Society of Rotary. They traveled the world by land and sea. She enjoyed her grandchildren, gardening and especially relaxing onboard her favorite transatlantic cruises. Audrey was preceded in death by her husband, Dick, their son, Loren and a granddaughter, Kristen. She is survived by two brothers; Wesley Coss, California, Gerald (Jerry) Coss, Arizona; three daughters; Elizabeth (Beth) Bell, Safety Harbor, Salle Bell and Kathleen Sanford, both of Clearwater; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Audrey was passionate in her support of the fight to eradicate polio, in lieu of flowers; the family asks that donations be made to the End Polio Now campaign of Rotary International, www.endpolio.org/donate. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held at 4 P.M. on March 24th in the Bell Community Room at Great Bay Distributors; 2750 Eagle Ave N., St. Petersburg, FL.