Rena Mae Bell, 97

Poulsbo resident Rena Mae Bell died March 7, 2005. She was 97.

Bell was born in Fort Smith, Ark. Sept. 13, 1907 to Walter and Rosa (Ferguson) Abel.

After finishing school, she married Lester Owen Bell in Kansas City, Mo. on Sept. 22, 1929. 

They moved to Whittier, Calif. in 1937 where they raised their family. Bell was a clerk/cashier at the school cafeteria in Whittier and a lifelong member of the PTA. 

In 1974, her husband died and two years later, Bell moved to Hemet, Calif. to be near family and friends for the next 22 years. In 1996, she moved to Suquamish to live with her son, Gary and be close to her large and loving family. 

She loved to play pinochle, crochet, read, work in her church and spend time with family and friends.  Although she worked throughout her life, she regarded herself as a homemaker and mother.

Bell is survived by two sons, William Lee (Karen) Bell of Federal Way and Gary Gene (Nancy) Bell of Suquamish; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

The family will hold a private memorial. Memorial gifts may be made to The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 2383, Bremerton, WA 98310.

Arrangements are under the direction of Kass Funeral Home, Bainbridge Island.