Anne Margaret Bell

She is survived by her loving family members including her four children and their spouses: Peggy Anne Bell (Mark) Platt of Pacific Grove, Patricia Alice Bell Selbicky of Pacific Grove, Paula Theresa Bell (Antonio) Ramirez of Rancho Murieta and Lawrence James (Pamela) Bell of Salinas. She also leaves behind two siblings: Margaret Rigdon de Rivera and Jonathan Rigdon, as well as 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Anne, the oldest daughter of Col. Jonathan M. Rigdon and Alice Godsey Rigdon, was born on Jan. 28, 1931, at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC. She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Tommy Rigdon and sister Edith Rigdon Ursino; as well as her son-in-law, Michael John Selbicky and grandson, Matthew Vincent Selbicky, and her former husband, Robert John Bell.

Anne grew up an Army brat in the 1930s and throughout World War II. The Rigdon family was stationed all over the United States as well as Panama and in Japan during the aftermath of World War II. As a child, her family was stationed in Fort Ord where she attended Sunset School in Carmel as well as Carmel High School from 1945-1947. In 1947 the Rigdon family transferred to Chicago, where Anne graduated from high school. After high school graduation, Anne returned to her beloved Carmel where she attended Monterey Peninsula College and obtained her AA degree. She eventually married Robert Bell, an old Carmel High School sweetheart.

Anne and Bob had four children and raised them in Carmel and then in Carmel Valley. The family eventually moved to Corral de Tierra where Anne became a school secretary for the Washington Union School District. She also had the distinct honor of becoming the first woman bus driver in the district. She was known all over Corral de Tierra and San Benancio as the minibus driver!

Anne was always up for adventure and friends! Her passions included music, tennis and travel!

Anne’s passion for music was evident! She played the piano and the cello. She later became a member of the Monterey Symphony Choir where she and other choir members were able to travel to St. Petersburg, Russia and perform. One of her greatest joys was to be able to participate as an audience member in the many wonderful Monterey Symphony concerts as well as the annual Carmel Bach Festival.

Anne was a tennis ICON on the Monterey Peninsula! She was one of the first members of The Carmel Valley Racquet Club, now known as CVAC. She could be found playing doubles or singles in any given competition around the peninsula as well as the state. At one point she was ranked No. 8 in Northern California in the Women’s 50s Category. She was a fierce competitor on the courts but always a good friend afterward!

In her many travels, Anne has journeyed to such locations as Africa, Cuba, Greece, Italy, Russia and the UK. Her most unforgettable travel adventures included visiting the African plains and seeing the wildlife, as well as journeying with her favorite traveling companion, her oldest daughter, Peggy, as they toured Paris and completed a cross-country trip throughout the United States.

Carmel has always held a special place in her heart. She became politically and civically active at a local level, serving on several committees which included The Cherry Foundation, The Carmel Residents Association, The Flanders Foundation, The Alliance on Aging and, at the request of then Mayor Ken White, The Carmel Historical Preservation Committee and The Recreation Commission. Other political-based organizations included The League of Women Voters.

Even after being active both civically and politically, Anne wanted to finish college. She obtained a bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University in liberal studies in 1982 while working at the Pebble Beach Company. She eventually pursued a career in real estate where she worked with The Mitchell Group in Carmel.

Anne was always a friend to all. Her sense of humor and friendly personality will be sorely missed by her loved ones. The family would like to thank all the staff at Carmel Valley Manor, as well as Central Coast Home Health and Hospice for their loving care. There will be a private family graveside service soon.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask you to kindly consider a donation in Anne’s memory to the SPCA Monterey County — www.spcamc.org

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

God is good.