Obituary of Islay Bell

Islay Noreen Bell 1922 – 2016 Islay, beloved sister and aunt, died peacefully on Wednesday, August 3rd, 2016 at Fairview Personal Care Home, where she had resided this past year. Islay was born on February 24th, 1922, in Minnedosa to Donald and Agnes (née Jury) Bell who farmed in the Fairmount District near Basswood, Manitoba. She attended Basswood Consolidated School and completed her high school in Minnedosa while staying with her grandmother, Agnes Jury. At the age of 18, she took her teacher training at Brandon Normal School and she taught school at Wallace and Rookhurst Schools. In July 1943, she enlisted in the RCAF and took her basic training at Rockcliffe, Ontario. She was posted to Gander, Newfoundland and worked as a Plotter. A plotter tracked the flights coming and going from the airbase and observing for any enemy aircraft. In 1945 she was posted to RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Upon her release from the air force, she commenced her nursing training at Winnipeg General Hospital where she graduated in April, 1949. Her nursing career began at Souris, Manitoba, then on to Duncan and Penticton, British Columbia. Eventually, she settled in Toronto where she worked at Wellesley Hospital and finished her career at Princess Margaret Hospital, a cancer research and care center for 19 years. After retirement she remained in Toronto for 10 years and she returned to her home province in 1995, residing in Brandon at Colonial Estates for 5 years and 2000 she moved to Riverheights Terrance where remained until her health deteriorated. During her time in Toronto she would often take her holidays and visit her mother, siblings and their families. She enjoyed her visits to each home and their activities which would include picnics, spending time at the beach and camping together. In her younger years she belonged to a ski club north of Toronto. She traveled to different locations but one she often spoke of was her trip to the Holy Land. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and kept up with current events. She will be greatly missed by her brothers: Lawrence and Arlene Bell and Neil and Mary Bell; her 16 nieces, nephews and their families and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, and her sisters and their husbands: Margaret (2004) and Stanley Greig (1973); Bob Greig (2006) and Isabella (Bella) (2004) and Jack Belcher (2009) and brother, Francis (Frank) Bell (2000). A Celebration of Life, officiated by Arlene Robertson was held in the Brockie Donovan Chapel on Thursday, August 11, 2016; interment was at Fairmount Cemetery, prior to the service.