Barbara Schultes Bell

Barbara Schultes Bell, 67, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, after a 26-year battle with breast and ovarian cancer. Her legacy will live on through the impact she had as a loving mother, devoted wife, and kind and empathetic friend, who cared deeply about others. She was a life-long learner who greatly appreciated the beauty of art. Barbaras courageous spirit was an inspiration to many women in their own cancer journeys.

Barbara was born on May 28, 1954, to James Conner and Rose Marie Schultes in Springfield, Missouri. After graduating from St. Agnes High School as the salutatorian in 1972, she continued her academic career at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas where she studied microbiology and medical technology earning Bachelor of Science degrees in each field in 1976. Upon graduation, she moved to Kansas City to pursue a career in medical technology, working for the University of Kansas Medical Center.

During her time at the University of Kansas, she met classmate Dr. Randall "Randy" Clarence Bell, where they were acquaintances. In September 1977, Barbara and Randy reconnected in Kansas City, where Randy was attending medical school, and went on their first date to a Kansas City Royals baseball game. The connection between them was immediate and built the foundation for what would be a 42-year marriage. Barbara and Randy were married on June 23, 1979, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Springfield, Missouri. They moved to San Antonio, Texas in 1981 so Randy could pursue a fellowship in pulmonary medicine and where Barbara joined the Oncology Department of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio researching bone marrow transplants. They went on to have two children, Jason Randall Bell and Jennifer Lynn Bell.

In 1983, Barbara transitioned out of the medical technology field to focus on raising Jason and Jennifer. In addition to her role as a devoted wife and mother, she was an avid volunteer holding various roles with numerous organizations, including the PTA of Locke Hill Selma Elementary School (President) and Hobby Middle School (Vice President), the Planning and Zoning Commission of Shavano Park (Secretary), the McNay Art Museum (docent), the San Antonio Junior Forum, the Bexar County Medical Alliance, the San Antonio Symphony League, and the San Antonio Conservation Society.

Her faith was a central piece of who Barbara was, having spent her entire life as a devout Catholic. She attended St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for nearly 40 years where she held countless service roles, including its Mobile Loaves & Fishes outreach and its ACTS Retreats, and her impact was far-reaching.

Barbara was predeceased by her father, James; mother, Rose Marie; mother-in-law, Lylah Bell; and first grandchild, McCall Kennedy Bell. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Randy; son Jason, his wife Alyson McCall Bell, and their children, Baker McCall Bell and Brooklyn Kennedy Bell; daughter, Jennifer; sister, Lisa Schultes, her husband Dan OConnell, and their children, Elizabeth "Lizzie" OConnell and James "Jimmy" OConnell; father-in-law, Dr. Clarence Bell; and brother-in-law, Dr. Rick Bell, his wife Karen Bell, and their children Taylor Bell and Courtney Bell Hogg and spouses and children.

A visitation will be held on Friday, April 8th at 5:30 PM at Porter Loring Mortuary North (2102 N. Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, TX), with a reflection vigil at 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 9th at 10:00 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (4201 De Zavala Rd, San Antonio, TX), with a reception to follow. Additional services will be held in Kansas City, KS and Leavenworth, KS at a date and time to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, as a tribute to Barbaras legacy, the family requests donations be made in Barbaras honor to Susan G. Komen, an organization she cared deeply for: https://secure.info-komen.org/site/TR;jsessionid=00000000.app30111b?px=26339356&fr_id=8827&pg=personal&NONCE_TOKEN=F0649C885ED6C8D76C2A4EA903142B7C