When Doreen Bell’s name is mentioned in a conversation, most of our community have a memorable connection through the many organizations and activities she was involved in over the years. On December 11, 2024 Doreen passed away at the age of 93 after living a life filled with kindness and community involvement.
Doreen Leda (nee Cutts) was married to her beloved Archie Bell, who had been a former Goulbourn Township Councillor; they had three children: Glenda, Rachael (Myrna) and Christopher.
Doreen was a school teacher for many years at Stittsville Union Public School (as it was known at the time) where she began teaching in 1953 after having taught in a one-room schoolhouse. Her warm smile would greet her students entering her classroom each morning.
Her daughter Glenda shared with us, “Mom actually started teaching right out of high school, as there was a shortage of teachers. Her first post was at the one-room schoolhouse in Ettyville, Ontario…..I’m sure she started teaching at SUPS around 1956 (or even earlier), as I was recently talking to one of her former students who remembered the “frisson” of excitement that went through the student body when Mom’s engagement was announced. They married in April 1957.”
On January 18, 1962 the inaugural meeting of the Stittsville Horticultural Society was held at Stittsville Union Public School on Main Street. Emerson and Grace Thompson were joined by a total of 15 other gardening enthusiasts that included Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Archer, Thor and Pam Thorgrimsson, Archie and Doreen Bell, Dr. Nils Olson and Roberta Boucher. Lifetime Memberships were awarded in 1992 to the four remaining charter members: Pam Thorgrimsson, Nils Olson, Doreen Bell and Grace Thompson.
Doreen was known for her beautiful garden of flowers and vegetables, but especially for her lovely floral arrangements. She was called upon to create many floral arrangements for weddings, special occasions, for the St. Thomas Anglican Church altar and often thoughtfully gave a bouquet to her neighbours brightening their day.
On September 13, 2014, the Stittsville Goulbourn Horticultural Society placed a plaque at Granite Ridge long-term care facility beside the Red Oak tree they had planted in 2012. The tree was planted to commemorate 50 years and honour the founding members of the Society. The plaque read: “Commemorating Founding Members of the Stittsville Goulbourn Horticultural Society 1962-2012”. Doreen Bell, a founding member, was pleased to be present and placed the plaque at the site. Having been a member since the Society was founded in 1962, she was a life member and was a permanent member of its Board of Directors.
Doreen was also a long-time member of the Goulbourn Township Historical Society where she would show up on various Heritage Days wearing a period costume she had sewn.
In addition Glenda added, “Mom was also involved in the Women’s Institute (sadly, gone now too), in the later years the Friendship Club and as a volunteer for the city with some of the seniors’ programming. A lot of people in the area will remember her for doing their wedding flowers. She was always very active in the church.”
Doreen and Archie were members at St. Thomas Anglican Church since the 1950s. Doreen helped to organize the Church’s 150th celebrations in 2016. Being active was a priority in Doreen’s life and she served on the Altar Guild, was a member of the property committee, the memorial fund committee and the Anglican Church women’s committee. She made an Easter Garden for the church for many years. At Easter 2013, she created an Easter garden model, along with congregation members Barbara Hennigar and Nona Steadman, in memory of their friend and Church member, Joan Thorneycroft.
Doreen was predeceased by her parents, Wilmer and Pearl (nee Gates); her beloved husband Archie; her siblings, Audrey (Merrill); Joyce (Ken); Doyle; and Marjorie (George); and Archie’s siblings, Chris (Marion); George (Jean); Margaret (John Hunter); Miner (Helen); and Stewart (Bernice).
She was Mom to Glenda (Brian Fairbrother), Rachael (nee Myrna) and Chris (Kim). Loving Granny to Jordyn (Tyler), Heather (Nick), Allison (Jack), Michelle (Ben), and John.
Visitation will be held at Tubman Funeral Home, 115 Rivington Street, Carp, from 3:00-7:00p.m. on Friday, January 10, 2025. Funeral on Saturday, January 11 at 11:00a.m. at St. Thomas Anglican Church, 1619 Main Street, Stittsville, followed by a reception. The family asks that donations made to the Alzheimer Society or St. Thomas Anglican Church would be appreciated.
If you are unable to attend the funeral service, you can register to watch it live stream at this link: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=092b8cfa-ebf7-4303-96c7-10b4af570056.
Doreen lived a life well loved – filled with friends and kindness. She will be sorely missed by her family, but fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews, friends, former students, Stittsville residents and her many congregation friends at St. Thomas.
Thank you Lesley. This is a lovely memorial. I did not realize that Doreen and Archie were involved in the Historical Society.
Lesley: A very appropriate tribute to Doreen Bell a wonderful lady who was such a positive influence on the community of Stittsville, during such a long period of time . During this time, Stittsville changed from a small local community, to community which became a home for 53,000 people! Doreen Bell helped us to get going in a very positive direction!
Phil Sweetnam