Susan Corrine Bell, was born April 15, 1931 in Topeka, Kansas, but spent most of her early life in
Kansa City where she met her husband, William J. Bell and together they had four children Mike, John, Billy and Carin.
Earlier in life while attending Mark Twain Elementary, Suzy contracted rheumatic fever and was bed ridden for a prolonged period. She was encouraged by her mother, Evelyn McKee, to use drawing as a way to fill her time. Suzy discovered a passion for art that would be a comfort to her for the rest of her life. Suzy's happiest days were spent with her Owl Sorority sisters sitting in front of the fireplace at Wayndotte High School. After graduation, she was accepted to the University of Kansas and pledged Chi Omega's women's fraternity.
Divorced, after twenty-five years of marriage, Suzy and a twelve your old Cari moved to San Diego, California in 1976 to be near her Aunt Mabel and cousin Jack Frager. Jack gave her a position at his brokerage firm, then associated with Shearson Lehman, as a wire operator sending buy and sell orders from 4:30 AM tp 2:00PM, five days a week.
During this period of time she was thrilled to have her daughter, Cari, pledge the Gamma Delta chapter of Chi Omega at San Diego State University. She became the chapter advisor and helped to develop the hearts and minds of hundreds of young women that she would remain in personal contact with till her passing, an association spanning sixty-four years.
Her later years were spent in Dallas, Texas to be near her daughter and family. She never forgot a birthday or holiday and she showered everyone with hand-crafted, meticulously detailed murals and painted furniture. She loved playing gin and Texas Holdem with her children and good friends, the Hudsons, she was famous for her slow roll when she won a big hand.
Suzy was an avid Jayhawk fan. Her favorite cup and blanket were emblazoned with the Jayhawk emblems and were her most prized possessions. She would sit cheering her basketball team, never missing a game and referred lovingly to each player by name. She would be pleased to know her blanket will be with her for eternity.
She passed in her sleep peacefully on the couch three days before her 90th birthday in front of her television, presumably watching basketball.
"Suzy's Perfect Day"...Her first Christmas in San Diego, she was invited to a Christmas party for employees at Shelter Island in San Diego. The wife of Preston Foster, a famous actor of the 1950's, picked Suzy up in a blue Cadillac convertible to transport her to a client's yacht for a sail around San Diego Bay. Singing Christmas carols, Suzy sipped expensive champagne wearing a new royal blue pantsuit and marveling at the blue skies and blue waters all the while, enjoying carols with the other guests. After they returned to shore, her escort insisted that Suzy accompany her to a friend's house to drop off a gift only to sing more Christmas carols with a then middle-aged Frankie Laine, the famous singer.
Susan is survived by her children:Michael W.Bell,William J.Bell Jr,and Carin S.Bell Perlingiero.Son in law Keith D. Perlingiero daughter in law Michele Bell. Her grandchildren :Shad J.Bell,Jason M.Bell,Keeley S.Perlingiero,Kenzy M.Perlingiero and John G.Lumley,His wife Tiffany Lumley.Sean Haggerty,wife Aubrey Haggerty,and Ryan Haggerty wife Jerika Haggerty.Great Grand children Mikailo Haggerty and Cessalee DeAnda.
There was a door to which I found no key;
There was a veil through which I could not see.
Some little talk a while of me and Thee
There was - and then no more of Thee and me.
The moving finger writes and having writ, moves on.
All your piety nor wit shall lure it back to cancel half a line,
Nor all your tears wash out a word of it.
~by Omar Khayyam
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