Winnifred BELL

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BELL: With great sadness the family announces the passing of Winnifred Agnes Bell, daughter of Fred and Agnes Brown on April 29. Win was born April 3, 1922 in Dauphin, MB; first of six children. Win’s early life was spent on her family farm near Ste. Rose de Lac, MB until moving to Brandon. She attended Fleming Elementary School and Brandon Collegiate Institute. In 1941, she met the love of her life, Gilbert Bell, at a dance in Shilo; they were soon married and moved to Niagara, ON. Win worked in a twine factory during the war years in Hamilton. The family eventually moved back to Brandon and Gib took up his carpenter’s trade. Win is survived by her 3 children: Lori Scott (David) from Carberry, Gib Bell (Lyn) from Carberry, and Sherry Garvin (Terry ) from Langham, SK. She also leaves, to morn her loss, two sisters; Ena Dafoe, Burlington, ON and Eunice McLean, Victoria, BC; together with seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren. Win devoted her time to her family, friends, garden, sewing, painting, and fun at the family cottage at Sandy Lake. Once her children were grown, she attended business college and got her secretarial certificate. Win worked at a few different secretarial jobs before settling in at Pittsburgh Paint and Glass where she became front store manager until her retirement. Many health challenges arose over the years; beginning in the 1950’s with cancer, polio, and several other major operations. Win beat them all, with never a complaint, due to her strong will, her determination and courage. She is greatly admired by everyone who knows her story. Everyone whoever met her knew a fun and loving spirit; a classy lady. She loved to dance with her husband; took up roller and ice skating; and after hanging up her skates at 70; took up golfing, becoming an avid golfer. Friends were very important to Win and she spent many an afternoon going out for a coffee visit. She loved to walk and enjoyed the wonders of nature. She loved her apartment at Lions Manor and living independently. Win was pre-deceased by her father, Fred Brown, in 1953, in the Olympia fire, (he was the only fireman to have lost his life in Brandon in the line of duty); her mother, Agnes Brown; her husband, Gib Bell, in 1991; and her three brothers, Bob, Glenn and Stan. The funeral was held at St. Mary’s Anglican Church on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 and interment was at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. Win is an inspiration to many and loved by all.

As published in Brandon Sun on May 11, 2013