March 26, 1939 - May 26, 2023
In Loving Memory ~
A shining piece of love, light and joy fell to earth and was extinguished this May 26th, 2023 as Nancy Elizabeth Bell, (nee McCallum), passed away into that good night.
All that knew her are left with a heavy sadness but have also been filled with hope and happiness as she passed peacefully and without pain with her three sons, Mark (Bibi), Christopher (Tomiris), and Matthew (Deborah) by her side.
Nan was sister to Judith Cameron, (since passed), brother to Bruce McCallum and predeceased by her former husband Ian Bell. She was deeply loved by her grandchildren; Olivia, Sophie, Bela, Willow and Noah and her nieces and nephews: Jennifer, Barb, Andrew, Heather, Cameron and Geoff.
Nan was born in London, Ontario to Edith and Don McCallum and was possessed with an incredible ability to spread love and create life-long friends. After growing up on Georgian Bay and Bruce Beach, Nan became a nurse and on a trip to a county fair, met a tall curly-haired doctor who quickly became smitten by the lively and gorgeous red head.
Among many of her childhood friends who will miss her are Robin Metcalf and Dorothy Scott.
Nan and Ian married and packed up their 3 sons and a few possessions and headed West to Nelson, BC where Ian opened an Ophthalmology practice and Nan worked as a RN on the 3rd floor of Kootenay Lake Hospital.
It was in Nelson that the true cultivation of friends began that would grow exponentially throughout her lifetime. She met Anne Macdonald on a walk and thereafter the Macdonald and Bell families grew up as one. Alasdair and Anne, (both since passed), had 3 sons, Donald (Alison), Duncan (Kimberly) and Robert (Kristin) who remain tight with the Bell brothers and whose hearts are equally broken.
As the boys grew and left home, Nan and Ian became estranged and eventually divorced. Nan took this opportunity to spread her wings and she travelled all over the world, notably washing elephants in Thailand, sipping coffee and wine in NYC, driving through Western Africa and Europe and, closest to her heart, walking the moors and highlands of her beloved Scotland.
On one of her visits, she met a bearded motorcyclist named Mo and they spent a couple of happy years riding to races and music festivals throughout the England, Scotland and Wales. Mo asked her to stay on with him, but she refused, saying that she couldn't live that far from her sons and her true family in Nelson.
Her golden years were spent in Nelson, hiking, taking duck-walks, riding bikes, and singing in the choir. She was a Dragon Boat OG and loved being outside and playing cards, especially Bridge and Whist, with her posse. She was a truly extraordinary person whose heart was so big that there was always room for a new friend.
Special thanks to: Heather/Kathleen; Rachel/Anneke; Noemi, Janet, Jorg/Suzanne and Patrina for their love and support.
Since the immediate family is spread from LA to Vancouver and New York a formal memorial is not planned at this time. We ask that you gather and hug one another, raise a glass and take a walk in memory of our incredible mother, aunt and nana.
Nan was a champion of the Nelson Chapter of "Grans for Grans" so if you're thinking about sending flowers, please re-direct your generosity and support to this charity. http://nelsongrans2grans.weebly.com
https://stephenlewisfoundation.org/where-slf-partners-work/