Obituary for
Jessie S Bell (Cook)
Bell, Jessie S. (nee Cook) - August 5, 2016 - Beloved wife of the late Charles Ivan Bell. Dear mother of Deborah J. (Dr. Ronald) Schwartz, Heather J. (Mark) Hammerl and Barbara L (Richard) Smith. Grandmother of Ryanne, Stephanie, Taylor, Michael, Paige and Trace. Sister of the late Jean, William and Minnie . Aunt of many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at the C. Mertz and Son Funeral Home, Inc., 911 Englewood Ave. on Monday from 4 to 8 PM. A Funeral Service will be held at Clarence Presbyterian Church (9675 Main Street, Clarence, 14031) on Tuesday at 11 AM. Please assemble at Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jessie's memory to American Heart Association. Please share condolences at www.mertzfh.com
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Life Story for Jessie S Bell (Cook)
Jessie S. Bell: August 5th, 2016
Jessie S. Bell (Cook), age 88, of Clarence Center, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2016 at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital.
Jessie was born in Buckie, Scotland in 1927, one of four children to Robert and Jane Cook. Her father passed away when she was eight months old. She grew up with a loving mother and family, during a challenging time in Scotland.
At the age of 20, she decided to leave Scotland on her own, and come to Buffalo, NY, with $13.00 in her pocket, to make a better life for herself.
She first worked for the Grammer family on Tudor Place in the city, and then moved on to work for Direct Labs, where she met her lifelong friend Margie. Margie introduced Jessie to the love of her life, Charles Ivan Bell, known to most as Ivan, a handsome redhead.
Shortly after they met, Ivan was shipped off to fight in the Korean War.
He left with only a picture and her phone number, which he kept in his back pocket for two years of heavy fighting.
When returning home, they fell in love and six months later were engaged to be married. They started their life together in the city of Buffalo, then went on to have three beautiful daughters: Deborah, Heather, and Barbara, who they raised in Kenmore, NY.
Jessie worked for at least 20 years in the Kenton School district, and was well known and liked by many students, faculty, and staff.
Jessie enjoyed reading, knitting and was an avid square dancer. Ivan and Jessie traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. They made sure their girls visited Jessie’s homeland in Scotland.
She spent her last three years at the Vinecroft Retirement Community, enjoying new friends, and became a Master Wii bowler.
Jessie is preceded in death by her devoted husband Charles “Ivan” Bell, her parents Robert and Jane Cook, and her siblings Jean, William and Minnie.
Survivors include her devoted children, Deborah (Dr. Ronald), Heather (Mark), Barbara (Richard), grandchildren Ryanne, Stephanie, Taylor, Michael, Paige, and Trace, and many nieces, nephews and friends.
