Margaret Bell

Margaret Bell Obituary

Biography

Margaret Bell was the last living child of Robert Steven & Mary Francis McNamee who raised 12 children in St. Paul, Oregon. A first generation American she grew up with a marvelous work ethic. Margaret attended St. Mary’s High School in Medford, Oregon and then studied at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon on a music scholarship.

Margaret married Harry Conlee Bell, Jr. in 1951 and moved to Portland, Oregon. Shortly after their marriage they moved to the home they built in West Linn and raised seven children. Margaret was involved in religious education and Altar Society at Our Lady of the Lake for many years while raising her children. She worked at several Catholic organizations including Jesuit High School Board, St. Anne’s of West Linn and St. Francis of Sherwood. She was also an employee of one of her most cherished organizations, Earl and Brown Incorporated, where she was a financial analyst. She was very involved in her children’s schooling and sports endeavors, often being their biggest fan in the bleachers. One ability that Margaret and her entire McNamee family had was to connect to people in a deep and meaningful way; that was a gift she passed onto her family.

Margaret passed away at 10:55 a.m. on the 16th of February with all of her children, grandchildren and some of her great-grandchildren with her to the very end. Always the teacher and a child of God herself, she encouraged her entourage to attend church and led them in prayers up until 30 minutes of her death.

Margaret is preceded in death by her husband, Harry Conlee Bell, Jr. (1981).

She is survived by her children, Brian Nugent Bell (Eileen), Michael Stephan Bell, Colleen Ann Yates (Darrell) Sheila Eileen Amundson (Steve), John Patrick Bell (JulieAnne), Patrick McNamee Bell (Molly), Timothy Conlee Bell (Sherry); grandchildren Meagon Watterson, Lindsey Kent, Stephanie Woody, Tori Fortney, Brian Yates, Ryan Amundson, Corey Amundson, Paige Marie Bell, Carter Bell, Lucy Bell, Katie Bell, Joey Bell, Ireland Bell, Brett Bell and Blaine Bell; great-grandchildren Sam Watterson, Taylor Kent, Charlie Kent, Colton Fortney and Addie Fortney.

Margaret’s funeral will be at Our Lady of the Lake in Lake Oswego, Oregon at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 21. The Reading of the Rosary will be held at 10 a.m.; all are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, Margaret’s wishes were that contributions be made to either Our Lady of the Lake Parish, of which she was a member for 50 years, or to Randall Children’s Hospital, in gratitude for her young grandchild’s life.

A rosary will be recited at 10 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 21, 2015, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church.

Interment in Willamette National Cemetery.

Facts Born: October 10, 1924
Death: February 16, 2015

Services

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One reply on “Margaret Bell”

My condolences to the Bell Family. Also, my congratulations and admiration to Mrs. Bell for a life well lived and for setting the example of how to live one’s life through God’s eyes. Though I didn’t interact with her often, I always found her to be sweet, genuine and fiercely loyal to her family. The Bells I know are a reflection of this. God bless.