Obituary of Roxie Marie Bell
Bell, Roxie Marie, 89, Main Street, Dartmouth NS.
It is with a heavy heart, that I announce the passing of our dearly beloved Mother, Grandmother, Aunt and Friend. Being lovingly comforted by her daughter Tanya (who never ever left her side), and a few close family members who visited often, were present when Roxie passed away peacefully at the Dartmouth General Hospital. It was Friday January 10th, 2025,
Born in White Rock, Kings County NS on March I5, 1935, to the late Lewis and Florence Schofield (nee Coldwell). She was the fourth baby of a total of seven. Parents are mentioned in the book “My White Rock” Reminiscences of White Rock Mills” :
Author Young,
Bertram Henry,
Publisher Bertram Young
New Minas, N.S., 1999
She is survived by her first born son, Keith and her youngest, daughter Tanya Lynn. Both reside in Dartmouth, NS. And her grandchildren, father Keith, whom she loved so dearly, Allura of NB and Keith Jr. of Montreal.
With six siblings, Roxie has many Nieces and Nephews, she’s a 4x Great Aunt and many extended family members who will miss her deeply.
Bitter sweet, she was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Roxie was predeceased by sudden loss of husband Kenneth Frederick Bell (the love of her life) on July 2nd, 1986 and the tragic loss of her second born son Gregory John, on May 19th, 2020.
She was predeceased by her sisters, Doris Hiltz, Marguerite Johnson, Aileen Potter, Norma Woolcock, Ethel Fraser and brother Hollis.
Late in life, she found companionship with Jim Burns. It was nothing for them to go for long drives, pointing out who use to live where, they spent Christmases with her daughter Tanya, dinner parties at a friend’s, passed out Halloween candy, gardened and were great company for one another for several years. Most nights Jim had Roxie over for supper. Put a puzzle together. Watch movie.
When inquired what they did, Roxie’s answer was always the same…
A drive, they had a nice supper, watch news. And put a puzzle together.
Every night, supper and put a puzzle together.
Finally her daughter asked her mother, “Is that what you kids call IT these days Mum, "putting a puzzle together?"
Roxie would go on to laugh every time after that, when she would say, "put a puzzle together".
They greatly enjoyed each other’s company until his sudden passing .
Roxie started her early education in White Rock, then moving on to Gaspereau, and finally to Wolfville for a while.
She stayed with siblings while working and eventually came to live in Dartmouth. She soon met her husband to be. They only ever had the one home and that was the one Kenny built; continuing to solidify the “Bell” family as life long residents of Westphal area.
A dedicated wife, mother, homemaker with a strong faith, she was always doing something to help keep household going.
When the family was growing up, it was nothing for Roxie to hem a pair of pants for a flat of eggs, or make curtains in exchange for a load of garden fertilizer. If both were full, a little money came in handy as well.
She was a strong, mostly healthy woman all her life. Never hospitalized or broke a bone, no serious illnesses, she took no medications right up until her hospitalization.
Regarded as “The Family Matriarch".
If you needed anything, you called Aunt Roxie.
She cared for all, took in family when they needed, with a good ear she would listen if you had to talk, always there to help with a drive, putting a zipper in your favourite coat, or babysitting, helping wherever she could.
When a family member announced a wedding or birth was expected, “Aunt/Great Aunt Roxie” would get busy making a baby quilt, or an outfit, etc. for the new family member due, or she would make one of her fancy photo albums or an afghan for the “newly weds".
A seamstress all her life, literally hundreds of hats, mittens, blankets were knit, crocheted, quilted, etc. for neo natal care of premature babies at IWK Hospital. Many shelters, organizations including her beloved Life Branch church, received her items, made to give to those in need and the infirm.
An excellent dress maker, quilter, etc. and worked many years as a seamstress, and recently making dish cloths and twisted scarves. A set of cushion covers to dish cloths, hats, clothespin bags, hand towels, afghans etc. are in many relative’s homes due to the love of their Aunt Roxie. Those who lived closest were spoiled with a true treat when Roxie was making her awesome delicious homemade bread and rolls. Before the fire hall was built, I swear our relatives on the other side could smell when it came out of the oven. It never did last long!
Roxie made a lot of her own clothes as well ss her daughters. Mostly for elementary school and special events; beautiful blouses, skirts & dresses that were artfully cut and put together with great skill and love.
Now before you say anything, the men of the house did not, go without; though no pretty skirts or dresses for them, however hats on down to her infamous double knit mittens, scarves and socks, were always there, no one went cold in winter thanks to her.
Tanya looked for and found her birth parents and extended family, with her mother’s blessing. Roxie was most supportive and excited to meet them, when Tanya DID succeed in finding them both. The paternal Grandmother from Finland had a special place in Roxie’s heart.
Wishing her own grandchildren were closer to her, Roxie knew this lady waited over twenty two years longing to see her only granddaughter. It tugged at Roxie’s heart and she was elated that after seventy-some years, she finally got to have her granddaughter in her life for her final years. Many trips were made to visit both families. And with Roxie’s blessings, a Christmas or three may have been celebrated with them, or simply spend time, with some all night talks.
Volunteering for heritage days, Roxie would don her bonnet, old fashion dress and apron, and off she’d go to the Eastern shore to display and show her talents of how a lot of items were made many years ago…i.e.: socks made on a spool with a few nails in it!??
Not an easy life, as a child Roxie had one toy in her childhood. It was a doll to play with; a hand me down from her older sisters. She was canning preserves by age 8. At 10 years young, her mother had a health incident. Roxie temporarily left school at that tender age to care for her mother and help with the home and younger siblings. It was then she learned to make bread. Ten years young. Sadly, her wedding to Kenny had to be moved to September due to her father’s passing in July. Even though he was ill with mouth cancer from chewing tobacco for quite some time, she hoped to have her father walk her down the aisle. Up until her passing, Roxie always, in a child like way, referred to him as “Daddy".
No stranger to hard work, dedicated and treasuring family, for many years, Roxie provided a stable, loving and disciplined family atmosphere for many "Foster Children" and family members in need.
Tanya was the first of the foster children to be placed with them and quickly it was decided that she would become a permanent member of the family; Roxie figured “she was going to fill the house with boys.”
With a silent, non- boasting pride, she was strongly committed to her family and community, Roxie was always visiting and caring for the sick and dying, helping in any way she possibly could right up to the end in many cases, and then after... whatever they needed.
Following the sudden passing of her husband Kenny, Roxie got out to work. Even though an excellent book keeper, having managed all the home based businesses her husband had and then son Keith, ironically she ended up at Zellers in the yarn and fabric department is where she landed. It was right up her alley.
She later began home care on regular basis. Some notable people would be a large land owner and I think former MLA, known as the “Gentleman Farmer”, Ira Settle of Cole Harbour. Book available “The Gentleman Farmer”.
She provided care to Max Haliburton who ran the old sugar refinery that use to sit across from Dartmouth General Hospital, if one can recall! Another client was a lady who’s daughter wrote under a pen name for the Harlequin Romance novels.
There were several others as well; Roxie was always up to doing what needed to be done. There was one lady in particular, the late Mrs. Elizabeth Chute of Halifax. A true artist in water colour paintings, married to a Professor of Chemistry and having one child. Mrs. Chute took a liken to Roxie and a mutual respect developed. After Mrs. Chute's passing, Roxie continued to help the daughter around the house, became friends and such close friends, one will say Roxie was like a second mother to her, Dr. Janet Chute of Halifax.
These two would go on tour for days to the Valley, Blockhouse, all over NS, visiting friends and family alike. Sometimes Janet would bring the dogs and away they all go for the day, or night, never sure, so Roxie kept an overnight bag packed at all times. It was as though she had another family with Janet and her many cousins and friends who so graciously welcomed and adored Roxie too.
Janet had Roxie over for a lot of her dinner parties, would spoil her, take her to the Sergay Club for her birthday and Roxie's favourite, to the Christmas Cantata which she looked forward to each year.
Traveling just a bit, Roxie took bus trips to the USA for shopping with her life long friend Viola (Vy) Laybolt. They had many laughs and memories to cherish so they went again. She was to Florida, seen Busch Gardens, spent time at the Crossing in Alberta where her deeply cared for niece and nephew, Cheryl and Brian Potter worked. Again, wonderful memories with family.
Roxie loved the holidays very much. Each year her daughter and her would go driving around looking at the lights in the homes. Unable to keep the tradition going, Tanya had her mother’s hospital room decorated with two foot candy canes, steamers, a tree and adorned with lights
a’ plenty. Roxie had the only room decorated and Tanya made certain her mother had lights in every window for Christmas that were visible from outside as well.
Her daughter did the best she could to give those unable to visit, opportunity to talk with their friend by putting on speaker phone and moderating, as Roxie too, wanted, and got to thank many friends for their kindnesses shown, meals given, the puzzles put together, the talks, trips and weekenders, going to church together, and being just that, friends. She cared for so many of you, so very much.
The family would like to thank all the Health Care Providers of the Dartmouth General Hospital and in Palliative Care. They provided very good care for Roxie, kept her son updated and welcomed her daughter to be involved in her care and kindly kept Roxie well stocked with ice cream for her all night snack attacks.
Every morning the LNP would check Roxie’s cognitive functions, asking her the date, where she was, who was I (daughter) and then…
her age.
Ummm… I can’t repeat any of the remarks she made regarding the latter, however, we were all left laughing, and Roxie the hardest at times.
They soon just stopped asking.
Shocked, the Doctors assuming the worse, had the children calling family and friends after only 4 days.
He didn’t know Roxie Bell.
Being a silent yet strong woman, she was very brave and continued to perplex the medical team as she was defying all the odds, eating and drinking right up to the day before, had no IV lines oxygen masks or any of those mechanisms to aid her in any way.. Sadly however, even the strong get weak after a foreign, and hardy battle. She was so brave and we all had great hopes of her coming home.
Many of the staff were so kind to take the time to talk and listen when an ear was needed by either of her children no matter the time of day.
Special thank you to Hospital Chaplin Whitney for the frequent visits, cathartic talks and beautiful prayers. It truly was very helpful having you there.
Roxie’s Pastor Gavin McCombie of 1st Baptist Life Branch Church, your visits sir, prayers, faith and support was so meaningful and I know you brought Roxie great peace, especially in her final moments. She truly deeply appreciated both of you visiting, and sharing in her love of the Lord. Her son Keith is certain, yet jokes, he read more of the bible to his mother in that time, than he’s read of it in his entire life.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of “Serenity Funeral Home", Coldbrook, NS. Special thank you to Lester H. Atkinson for your guidance.
In commeration of her 90th birthday, a Celebration of Life will be held at St. John’s Anglican Church,
Pastor Gavin McCombie officiating.
Saturday March 15, 2025, 2 to 4 pm.
Corner of Lake Major Road and Main Street, Westphal.
Internment will take place at a later date.
Pastor McCombie to officiate.
We welcome and greatly encourage those who may have a story, memory or antidote of our dear mother, Roxie, that they kindly share, it’s encouraged and would be very much appreciated by all.
Family flowers only. Donations in her memory, can be made to the Heart Association and or Mental Health Canada. As well, you could consider taking a day, an hour and kindly help, volunteer, do something for someone in need expecting nothing in return. That would be a wonderful act in her honour, and tip of the hat to how she lived.
God Speed
