Dorothy “Dottie” Bell of Beacon, and longtime resident of Glenham, died peacefully on January 20, 2019. Born February 21, 1935 in Poughkeepsie, NY to Paul Kerr and Carolyn (Fleming) Kerr, Dottie, also known as “Ma Bell” to many, was the fourth of seven children. She grew up on a dairy farm five miles south of Poughkeepsie.
Dottie graduated from Oakwood Friends School and attended St. Francis School of Nursing where she earned a degree as a registered nurse. She was a skilled motorcyclist, and among other adventures, made the popular biker pilgrimage to cruise Daytona Beach on her 1948 Indian motorcycle. Dottie married James “Ace” Bell, who predeceased her in 1990.
Together they raised eleven children in a beautiful home that supported flower gardens, a large vegetable garden, chickens, a pony and an assortment of other pets. Her green thumb demonstrated the love she put into everything she touched. Dottie enjoyed hiking the Beacon mountains, biking the Mohonk Preserve, and being in the company of family and friends.
Her devotion to her Catholic faith was a guiding light in Dottie’s life. She was a daily mass attendee for many years and an active member of St. Joachim’s Church in Beacon. Dottie was grateful for a wonderful childhood, her large family, dear friends, and the beauty of the Beacon mountains and the Hudson River.
She brought her extended family together with many Christmas parties and summer picnics. Dottie was a wonderful “Grammie”. She received great joy from her grandchildren and gave it back to them through her sense of humor, adventures, love, and kindness.
Dottie was a genuinely sweet woman, selfless and kind; she spent many hours assisting those in need with rides to doctor appointments and volunteering for numerous causes. She was an active member of many organizations including the Verplanck Garden Club, the Beacon Historical Society, the Red Hat Society, and was a founding member of the Mount Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society. Dottie is survived by her children: Marilyn (Brian) Browne, Andrew Bell, Jerry (Virginia) Bell, Eileen (Mike) Casey, Maureen (Mike) Harvey, Greg (Elaine) Bell, Eric (Debbie) Bell, Gordon (Adrienne) Bell, Jim Bell, Dianne (Shawn) Sandison, and Katy (Leonard) Behney; and her 20 grandchildren: Trevor, Clare, Peter, Renee, Noah, Allison, Ellie, Jennie, Shelby, Emma, Bridget, Aiden, Lucas, Matt, Dorian, Audrey, Ava, Caroline, Gavin, and Milo; by her brothers and sisters: Paul Kerr, Louise Trancynger, Rosemary Martin, Katy (John) Pedersen, and Richard (Diane) Kerr; and by many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Dottie was predeceased by her husband, Ace; her sister, Janice; her sister-in-law, Joan Kerr; and her brother-in-law, Hank Trancynger. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Thursday, January 24, 2019 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Riverview Funeral Home by Halvey, 2 Beekman Street in Beacon. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joachim’s Church, Beacon, at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 25, 2019.
Family will attend a private interment immediately following the funeral mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mohonk Preserve, the Beacon Historical Society or St. Joachim – St. John the Evangelist Church, Beacon NY. To send a personal condolence please visit www.
riverviewbyhalvey.com. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Patrick J. Halvey of Riverview Funeral Home by Halvey, LLC. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dorothy “Dottie” Virginia Bell please visit our Sympathy Store.
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