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Memorial Keepers(1)
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Neil Bell
Sheila Gwladys Bell
March 25th, 1942 - October 25th, 2021
March 25th, 1942 - October 25th, 2021
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Tributes
Share a favorite memory, send condolences, and honor Sheila’s life with a heartfelt message.
Neil Bell
Hi everyone, here are pics of pages from some of the memorial readings as well a few pictures of the memorial setting. I will write up and post something more soon to hopefully give those that could not attend some better sense of the ceremony and how it went.
Ian O'Neill
Dear Sheila, I think this must be the first letter I've written to you in over forty years. I can remember when you first left for the States in 1965, that we would write to each other regularly. I think you inherited your talent for letter writing from Dad. Your letters were beautiful. I have so many happy memories of you from when I was young. You took me and Jimmy swimming up to the Cali outdoor pool. There were the Saturday nights when you and Ian would go out with mum and dad to the club and bring back chips from Wyn's Fish Bar. You and Ian also took me, Jimmy, Janice and Mrs Bell to Walton on the Naze in a Bedford Dormobile. Jimmy and I used to get the bus over to Luton on a Saturday and visit you in your bedsit in Ashburnham Road. You would cook us dinner, usually pie, chips and beans. It was lovely. In those days that was the only thing I would eat! Then you moved over to the small terraced house in Great Northern Road. Jimmy and I would come down to help clean it up before you moved in. Christmas parties at Auntie May's also hold many special memories for me. You and Avril rocking and rolling together was one that sticks in my mind. We had a party at Dunstable Football club one Christmas. Ian sang ‘I am the Music Man' and did his impression of the bagpipes. Happy and funny times! It was a sad day when you and Ian moved to the States in 1965. You came back with Neil in 67 and Ian followed you as he was missing you both. I think you stayed for over three months before returning to the States the following January. Then you came home in 1971. You were planning to live back in the UK but neither of you settled. You went back to the States the following February not knowing that within two months you would be coming back home following the unexpected death of dad. So much sadness in such a short time. It would be another ten years before we got to meet again, when we came over for a holiday in 1982. I can honestly say that was a brilliant holiday. We laughed so much and created memories to last a lifetime. Then we came back in 1997. It was just a short break but another memorable one. You were so fit, running most days. It was good to see you so well and happy. You had your battles in life, Sheila. With alcohol, with breast cancer, and with your overall health following Tania's tragic death in 2010. An event which I don't believe you ever fully recovered from. I will always remember you as my beautiful sister. There are many pictures I've seen of you as a stunning young lady. One in particular where you looked the image of Elizabeth Taylor sticks in my mind. And now you have the peace that sometimes evaded you during your life. I will always think of you, Sheila. Your memories will stay with me until my own dying day. Sleep well beautiful sister, until we meet again, Ian xxx
Avril King
Thoughts and memories of my beloved niece Sheila Gladys Bell. Sheila has always been in my life - there was only 2 years between us so we were more like sisters than aunt and niece. Sister Katie and my Mum - Sheila's Grandmother (Gran) were very close so it was not surprising that Sheila and I would share that closeness throughout our young lives. Although living at opposite ends of Dunstable initially, we had ‘sleepovers' which entailed an awful lot of giggling and we did so much together through Sunday School, The Girls Life Brigade, The Dunstable Girls Choir and, later on Dunstable Youth Club. In 1958 Sheila and I joined the Dunstable Youth Exchange Holiday Group travelling to Porz am Rhein and stayed with the Gorzel family. We had the most fantastic time in Germany with our host family - you can imagine a mixed group of teenagers in a foreign land all intent on having a ‘blast'! On our return Irene Gorzel stayed with the O'Neill family & Harry Sondgerath (later to become her husband) stayed with us. This was to become a friendship which has lasted over the years for us all. Sheila was bridesmaid at my wedding in 1960 and I was Matron of Honour for Sheila in 1962 and although we went our separate ways through our later years, neither of us ever forgot those early years of shared laughter and fun which we had enjoyed together. You will be sadly missed my darling and, as Irene said when I told her of your passing - you will always have a place in our hearts. Sheila - beloved niece and lifetime friend, may you rest in peace as you join with the heavenly choir.
Neil Bell
Tony O'Neill
My big Sister Sheila. Sheila would often remind me that she was in the house when I was born, which was true, home births were commonplace in the 60's. She was 18 at the time, and would tell me when I was older that she can still see me in the crib by the fire! My earliest memories of my sister was around 1971, she had returned to England with her family, Husband Ian, Neil and Tania, and they all stayed with us in Garden road for a while. I recall how 'cool' and young she looked, with the 'peace ' sign sewed into the back pocket of her jeans. The next time I saw her and her family was in Connecticut, when Mum, Auntie May, Tracey and I visited the U.S, and again in 1975 when she had moved down to North Carolina. That was the last time I saw her in person, but she would always write to me, I still have the letters to this day, and later on we would e mail and chat on the phone. Sheila was wise, and always had time to listen, and I looked up to her. And she always had enough to give, despite having her own life issues to deal with. Although miles and continents kept us apart, Sheila was part of me and me her, and that blood bond was always there. Rest in peace my beautiful Big Sis, I know you are OK now. Love your little Bro xoxoxo
James O'Neill
Our first holiday with Big Sis, we had a fantastic time. Went to Cherry Grove S.Carolina beach, (all dressed up) family BBQ, and typical mad Englishman with his hanky on head! Getting out the pics again bought back many memories....Love you
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