Bella R. Logan

(Memere`)

September 15, 1924 North Brookfield, MA, - October 3, 2013, Grand Prairie, TX

Parents: Alphonse Richard and Elizabeth Mary (Goudreau) Richard

Baptized at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, North Brookfield, MA, October 5, 1924

Officiating: Rev. James F. McGillicuddy

Godparents: Albert Goudreau (uncle) and Belle Savoie (friend)

First Holy Communion: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Received May 22, 1932

Confirmation: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, June 1, 1938

Confirmation Sponsor; Cecilia LaRievere (her sister)

Marriage to James Elbert Logan May 1, 1943 Chapel Westover Field, MA

Witnesses: Doris Richard (sister), Hilary W. Burgei (friend)

Widowed: January 10, 1967 (James E. Logan, Sr interred Riverside Cemetery, Sterling, Colorado)

Family History

Belle and Jim were married during the Second World War (WW II) days before Jim was to deploy to the European front; however, Jim developed such severe asthma that he was hospitalized and subsequently honorably discharged from the US Army, August 9, 1943.

As newlyweds, Belle (18 ½ yrs old) and Jim (31 yrs) moved to Scottsbluff, NE in 1944, where their first child was born and named Mary Elizabeth, then to Sterling Colorado in 1945 where James Elbert, Jr was born. Dad then was hired by the C.B.& Q. R.R. and moved the family to Alliance, Nebraska where daughter, Phyllis Jean (Sara) was born on Father’s Day, 1948. A job promotion moved the Logan family to Guernsey, Wyoming where Stephen Paul was born in nearby Torrington, WY (1952) and Clarence David (Sam) was born in Wheatland, WY in 1954.

Mom was dedicated to education and she and Jim raised their children in the Catholic faith, enrolling them into Catholic schools, whenever available; Mom was busy these years raising her family. She was diligent to make a good home for her family; she would sew clothing for her girls and boys, and learned to make quilts at this time. She wanted to learn to drive and with her typical determination, taught herself to drive by backing up and driving forward in the long driveway, before venturing to drive around the block. Soon she had that license and was no longer home bound….and off we went into the colorful Wyoming sunshine!

Following his railroad job as a brakeman, Dad returned his family to Alliance, NE and was promoted as a conductor in train service. Daniel Joseph was born in Alliance, NE 1961. After a hospitalization, Dad transferred to Sterling, Colorado in 1963; he died on January 10, 1967. Her Jim was the love of her life and although a very pretty widow with many offers, she did not remarry in her 45 years of widowhood.

In 1969, Mom moved to Portales, NM and returned to Sterling in 1970. With health problems, Mom moved from Sterling to live with Sara in Phippsburg, CO 1978, and there also lived some years with Stephen to help raise Eric and Jenny Logan. As the children grew, she moved to an independent living apartments in Oak Creek and then in Selby Apartments in Steamboat Springs, CO; she was very active with the “elderly” (she was in her middle 70’s!). While active in the Steamboat community, Belle was amazed to learn that she was dyslexic, and thus discovered why learning had seemed so difficult in her school years. With that powerful information, at 69 years of age she enrolled herself into classes in the local library to obtain her GED; at 70 years old Memere then proceeded to take college classes at CCC (Colorado Community College) in Biblical Archeology, general writing arts and history!

Also during these years, Belle became very active in outreach to the elderly of the Steamboat Springs, CO community where she participated as a lay counselor in the Steven’s Ministry, and as a Sexton for Holy Name Catholic Church. In the year 2002, Belle moved to lower altitude, Texas to be near daughter, Sara, as she began to age and develop health issues with her heart and lungs; still independent, Belle lived in senior independent housing in Grand Prairie, TX.

Always a powerful advocate of the unborn, Mom was untiring in her support of Pro Life issues and prayer vigils. At the 2011 “40 Days for Life” prayer vigil in front of a late-term abortion facility (which did close very soon afterward), she insisted she attend in her wheel chair to pray the Rosary. We bundled her up against the blowing snow and cold to participate in our promised hour of 12 midnight to 1AM. This was the caliber of her intrepid spirit! Belle generously offered her prayers for any family members and those in need. It was one of her ways to connect to God and when she heard that someone had any kind of problems, be it sickness, troubles, or they just needed prayer, she would be ready to pray a Novena to help them. Family and friends would refer to her as the “Novena Lady”. She also was often jotting down her thoughts and composing prayers. (See attached)

However, in 2009 Belle suffered a mild stroke and was persuaded to move in with Sara and Patrick Downey. After receiving the Sacrament of the Sick, Belle died On October 3, 2013, 12:34PM in the privacy and comfort of her home with Sara, Patrick and Daniel at her side.

Prayer Vigil and Funeral Mass

A Solemn Vigil of Prayer was begun on Monday, October 7th in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, opening with Vespers at 7:30PM, followed with prayer, contemplation, recitation of the Rosary (English and Spanish), Litany of the Saints (English and Spanish),, Night Prayer prayed at 10:30PM, then closing prayer at 12:30AM. Resuming at 8:30AM with Lauds (Morning Payers) led by celebrant Fr. Marcos de la Cruz. The funeral Mass for Bella R. (Richard) Logan was held on October 8, 2013 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Grand Prairie, Texas at 10:00AM. Officiating was Fr. Douglas Zavala, concelebrating was Fr. Alan McDonald. The children’s choir from Immaculate Conception School sang the “Mass of Renewal” responses, and Neo-Catechumenate Cantor, Marcos Martinez leading in song. Soloist Lisa Stobb sang “Pie Jesu” preceding Mass, and “Ave Maria” at the incensing of the body and last prayers. Eulogy was delivered by Sara Downey, and many came forward to give witness to Belle’s influence and gentle presence in their lives. Belle will be interred in Riverside Cemetery, Sterling, Colorado on October 23, 2013. She will be buried next to husband Jim, Sr and son, Jim, Jr.

Family Members and Children

Belle is survived by her sister, Pearl Crevier, of North Brookfield, MA, and sister-in-law Barbara Richard of Marlborough, CT.

Also surviving her; are eldest daughter Mary Elizabeth, who was married to Roy Alton White, Sr (deceased), they have five children; Elizabeth Mary and son Timothy James; Cynthia Marie has four children, Jason Todd and his three daughters, Makayla Marie, Kaylee Rose and Kristin Marie; Stephanie Ann, with two daughters Gracie Mae and Carlie Ann; Amanda Rose, with two daughters Isabella Rose and Jazzalenna Dae; Christopher Gene. Roy Alton Jr, has his son Bryan Conor. Donald Norman, daughter Kyia Ambrosa (deceased). Cheryl Ann , has two daughters Cathlyn Fionna and Brenna Elizabeth.

Belle’s second child was James Elbert Logan Jr (deceased) who was married to Donna. They have four children; Jeremy David (Dave) married to Lisa and who recently had twin boys, Elias Mitchell and Ethan Ezekiel. April JoAnna who has Isabella Rose and Brayden; Jennifer Ruth who has one son Jacob; Allen Jay Logan (deceased) and daughter Elizabeth Ellen.

Belle’s third child is Phyllis Jean (Sara) son Arthur James Steiner married to Jodie, with children Morgan Joy and Rowan Manley, of Steamboat Springs, CO.

The fourth child is Stephen Paul Logan, who has son Erik Carter and daughter Jennifer Elizabeth; she and Tim have two sons, Austin and Tyler; Steve with wife Andoni has two step-sons, Eli and Lucas.

The fifth child is Clarence David (Sam). He has two children, Jason, no children, and Ann Marie, who has two daughters Tristica and Joslin; Sam with wife Winnie has two step-sons, Frankie and Kevin. Belle’s last child is Daniel Joseph (Dan), not married and no children.

At the time of Belle’s passing, her family had expanded from her six children, to include 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren. Belle was known to family and friends alike as “Memere`” which is French for Grandmother. She had a wonderful love and respect for her beloved family and many children, grand and great-grandchildren. Her delight in her many family members showed in a beautiful talent in making each person feel special and cherished, as if they were the greatest love of her life…and they were, for she cherished each life blessed to her family. Memere’ made many quilts for her children, spouses and grandchildren. In her last five years, she pieced together five “this is the last one” of the quilts!) Belle’s respect for each person reflected in and extended to the many friends, church members, professional staff, treating doctors, nurses and aides having to enter her life for her opportunity learn to know and greet with a smile, then send off with a “Thank you for helping me.” For the five years before her passing, Belle walked a spiritual journey with the Neo Catechumenate First Community of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Memorial

Our Mother, grandmother, great-grand mother and friend, “Memere`” was a precious gift to us from God. Please remember the family in your prayers, and hold each other prayerfully, as she did hold all her family in her heart.

”Those who live in the Lord never see each other for the last time.”

Holy Trinity

“Oh my God, Trinity, whom I adore, help me to forget myself in you, unmovable and peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity. May nothing be able to trouble my peace, or make me leave You. Oh my unchangeable God may each minute bring me more deeply into your mystery! Grant my Soul peace. Make it your heaven, your beloved dwelling and the place of your rest. May I never abandon You there, but may I be there, wholly entirely vigilant in my faith, adoring and wholly given over to Your creative action in my life.” (This prayer written by Belle)

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my Savior; because He has looked upon His lowly handmaid.” Luke 1: 46-47