EVA IRENE BELL

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EVA IRENE BELL Peacefully, on February 13, 2008, surrounded by the love of her family, Irene went to her eternal rest. She is survived by her beloved husband, Victor; children, Linda Paluck, Faye (Alfie) Schalk, Merv (Lynda) Gunter, Dawn Papineau, Tricia (Al) Geurts and Terry Gunter; grandchildren, Dean (Minnie) Schalk, David Schalk, Darren Paluck, Kelly (Jason) Dueck, John (Lisa Joy) Gunter, Jason Geurts, Jill Geurts, Trista (David) Doole, Tamara Papineau and great-grandchildren, Tyler and Cody Paluck, Mekhi Gunter and Vann Dueck. She also leaves to mourn her siblings, Evelyn Mason, Bernice Marshall, Verla (Ellis) Bird, Verna McRorie, Keith (Jackie) Bell, and Barb (Joe) Holmes, as well as several in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by her first husband, Jack Gunter, grandson, Douglas Papineau, sons-in-law Lloyd (Butch) Papineau and Eddie Paluck; sister Ruth DeGalan, brothers Bob and Alvin Bell, and brothers-in-law Frank Mason, Eddie Marshall and Murray McRorie. Irene was born in Burnside, Manitoba, on August 23, 1925, to Frank and Lily Bell, and grew up in the farming district near Portage la Prairie, where she lived until moving to Selkirk in 1946 after her marriage to Jack Gunter. After Jack's death, she married Victor Bell and they have shared 43 years of married life. They loved to travel and enjoyed camping and fishing with the family. Irene dearly loved all her family, but there was a special place in her heart for Terry. She was a stay-at-home Mom for several years before working at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre, Robinson Store, McLeods store, Selkirk Linen Service and finally for Home Care until her retirement. She was a Life Member of the Selkirk Association for Retarded Children (now Community Living) and was actively involved as a volunteer as long as she was able. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 17 between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. at the Gilbart Funeral Home in Selkirk. A private family burial will be held at Little Britain United Church Cemetery prior to a Celebration of Life service on Monday, February 18, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Chapel. Her grandsons will be her pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Community Living, 306 Jemima Street, Selkirk, MB R1A 1X1. We are very thankful for the wonderful Home Care ladies who made it possible for Mom to spend her last years at home. We also appreciate the loving care of Dr. M. Speer and the care and compassion of the nursing staff on the Selkirk District General Hospital Medical Ward, and Selkirk Ambulance and Emergency Services over the past few years. Everyone has always been welcomed into Mom and Vic's home with love and friendship and we will certainly miss her beautiful smile and quick quips that often brought a chuckle to others. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 16, 2008