In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Henry Albert Bell and her brother Carl Shulze.
Thila spent 6 months in Berlin, Germany as her father worked for the U.S. Government just after WWII. Her father sat on the Kommdatura, the 4-power government of Berlin when it was divided between French, Soviet, British, and American. She returned to the U.S. on the USS Stafford joined by 3000 French war brides. She was at sea for 13 days. Thila is an amazing historian, she recalled story after story both before and after WWII. She also loved dance, music, and the theater. She was a member of the Triune Musical Company, Inc. in Latham, NY and the Schenectady Light Opera, where she danced in productions such as a Fiddler on the Roof and CanCan. She was a long time member of the Lansingburgh Historical Society and a Charter member of the WWII museum in New Orleans, LA. Thila was the 3rd Judicial Representative for the Republic Women. She became the member of the Congregational Church as a young adult. Later, she and her husband Henry became members of the United Methodist Church. She was involved in many activities with her formerly affiliated church, Christ Church Troy United Methodist. Thila retired after working many years as an Executive Secretary for the New York State Legislature. After Henry passed, Thila moved to Wilmington, NC where she made many friends and joined the Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church. Thila later met her dear companion, Constantine (Conni) Gerfelder, who was a dedicated member of the Pender County Shriners. She loved to help the Shriner ladies with providing gifts for the Shriner Hospital. Conni and Thila enjoyed their time together, Conni passed away in April.
She is survived by her daughter Claudia Campese (Frank); sons, Thomas Matthew (Terry) and Thilo Henry (Mary); grandchildren: Joseph Campese, Dominic Campese, Thilo Bell and Brock Bell; and great-grandchildren: Lylah Campese, Francesca Campese, Carson Campese and Gianna Campese.
The Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, December 9, 2022 at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church with Pastor Duane Partin officiating. The family will have a Visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place at Saratoga National Cemetery with McLoughlin and Mason Funeral Home in Troy, NY, date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lansingburgh Boy’s and Girl’s Club or the Shriner’s Hospital.
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