Cathleen K Bell

Cathleen Bell was born in New Market, VA in 1931 and passed at home on March 10th, 2016. She is survived by her husband, Gilbert Bell, two children, Larry Gilbert Bell and Cheryl B. Hardy, four grandchildren, Barbara, Shannon, Deanna, Natalie and three great-grandchildren, Victoria, Nathan and Alicia.

Cathleen and Gilbert have been married for 65 years. Throughout these years, whatever Gilbert was doing, Cathleen enjoyed being a part of it. Gilbert built their first home and Cathleen helped by priming the wood. As recent as last year, she insisted on helping him load firewood onto a trailer. Everyone who knew her would agree, she was a hard worker and took pleasure in accomplishing things with him.

Cathleen always looked forward to their trips to West Virginia, where she would look for hidden treasures in an old trailer on the property. Cathleen also loved being out in the sunshine, working in their yard and being near the water. The smell of honeysuckle in the summer time will remind the family of picking strawberries, blueberries and raspberries with her in their back yard. Likewise, the smell of pancakes and bacon will forever bring memories of Grandma cooking a big breakfast on weekend trips to their waterfront property. Some of her favorite activities included boating, water skiing, looking for sharks teeth, going to the pool and a fast paced walk. She loved lighthouses, hummingbirds and cardinals. She also enjoyed collecting any dish or trinket that had a strawberry on it. These items are displayed in her kitchen where so many wonderful desserts have been made. Her pecan pie was found at almost every Thanksgiving dinner and was one her favorite desserts.

Cathleen’s love of the Lord was evident in her everyday life. Their home is beautifully decorated with Christian sayings, such as “I don’t just believe in miracles, I rely on them”. One of the most cherished pieces is a wall hanging she cross-stitched of St. Francis of Assisi’s Prayer

Instrument of Peace

Lord make me an instrument of your peace,

Where there is hatred let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

And where there is sadness, joy.

O divine master grant that I may

not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

To be loved as to love

For it is in giving that we receive-

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned.

And it's in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen

Cathleen led a selfless life. She was a strong and determined woman. Her family was her number one priority and she will be forever loved and deeply missed.