Dorothy M. Bell

Dorothy Mae Bell, 94, of Greeley, was called home by her personal Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 31, 2018. Dorothy was born on September 6, 1923 in Clark, Missouri to Joe R. and Grace L. (Shields) Dougherty.

At the age of 10, Dorothy moved to Parsons, Kansas. After graduating from Parson’s High School, she went to both Parson’s Junior College and Business College, after which she got her first job as a dental assistant during the war. Dorothy was later employed as a mail department office secretary before moving to Colorado for employment at Colorado Fuel and Iron. At this juncture, she met and fell in love with James Bell in Pueblo, CO, who worked for Colorado State Patrol. The two married April 7, 1947. They later settled down in Greeley, CO, where the couple resided for the remainder of their love-filled 52 year marriage that fruitfully blessed the couple with four children. Jim passed in 2007. Sitting atop Dorothy’s robust professional career, her work with Excel Employment Agency incepting in 1977 highlighted her career. She enjoyed catering to small business in the Greeley area. Dorothy loved her work and the many relationships it caused her to forge. She owned the business for 20 years until retiring in 1997. She had a special employee, Virginia Schmitz, for 17 years. The two remained close friends until Dorothy’s passing. After retirement, Dorothy’s time was interwoven with family and friends, and she was active with the First Assembly of God Church in Greeley.

In 2003, Dorothy encountered a miracle. She suffered a massive heart attack, was in a coma for 1 ½ months, and was consequently placed on hospice care. After the decision was made to remove her from life support, she became unexpectedly responsive, and to the disbelief of her medical personnel, went on to live a relatively healthy life for 15 years. Dorothy loved her dogs, Kelli the Pomeranian who has passed, and Angel, who is still here today. In Dorothy’s own words, “I love life, but am very happy with having Jesus in my life. He has guided me in all things during my life.” Dorothy will be remembered for her love for the Lord, her witty sense of humor, her engaging personality, and her ambitious work ethic. Her legacy will not soon be forgotten by those she touched, and the beautiful memories she gifted us with will survive in our hearts and minds over the test of time. When writing her own obituary, she concluded with the words, “Now I have gone to be with Jesus, and I have a lot of friends to meet!”

Dorothy is survived by her brothers, Darell Dougherty, Gary Dougherty and Larry Dougherty, her son, Dennis Bell of Thornton, her daughter, Judy McDonald (Dwayne) of Greeley, Grandchildren, Kendra Bell, Brianna McDonald, Joshua McDonald and Ryan Ochsner, and 5 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Grace and Joe Dougherty, her sister, Leone Dougherty, her brother, Harry Dougherty, her husband, James Bell, her son, Terry Bell and her daughter, Kathy Ochsner.

The funeral service will be held at Stoddard Funeral Home, Friday, February 16, at 2:00 PM. Burial will immediately follow the service at Sunset Memorial Gardens.