Phyllis Irene Bell (Nee Gregory)

1927 – 2024

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Phyllis Bell on Mar 21/2024. She left this world on her own terms with the help of MAID, enjoying her favorite drink, a Rusty Nail, surrounded by her family.

Phyllis was born in Winnipeg on June 25, 1927, the youngest of four children. She grew up in the west end on Alverstone Street. She attended General Wolfe and Daniel McIntyre school.

Mom met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Bell, at a dance at Falcon Lake. They were married in 1950 and moved to Edmonton, AB. While in Edmonton, they adopted two children, Creig in 1957 and Allison in 1959. They moved back to Winnipeg in 1961 and purchased a home on Byron Bay in Westwood, where Mom lived until May 2023. In 1964, Diane was born, and the next 60 years were filled with lots of fun, love and laughter.

Besides being a domestic engineer, Mom was the Queen of Volunteering. She was an avid curler and golfer. Not great at either one, but always had fun and enjoyed the camaraderie.
Mom was a lifetime member of Assiniboine Memorial Curling Club. She was also a founding member of the Assiniboine Ladies Curling as well as a charter member.

Mom spent countless hours volunteering for many curling championships. She took on the huge responsibility of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Canadian Scott Tournament of Hearts on 2 different occasions. She also volunteered at the provincial level of curling championships. She volunteered for the World Curling that was held in Winnipeg. She was President of the MLCA (Manitoba Ladies Curling Association) as well as President of the MLCA Past Presidents.

Mom was an associate member of St. Charles Country Club, where she golfed every week with the ladies group. And here she also volunteered for many tournaments, most memorable was the Peter Jackson. She spent 15 years with the MLGA (Manitoba Ladies Golf Association) in a variety of capacities including the juniors’ championships and the prize committee.
Other volunteer positions include Young Life Committee, Outreach Committee, Pioneer Quest for the North, Operation Eyesight Universal, Rotary Exchange Program, Meals on Wheels, 1999 Pan Am Games where she organized volunteers for the Women’s Soccer, MTC and the Warehouse Theater where she ushered. She organized canvassers for the Sally Ann. For 15 years she organized 50 canvassers for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Her area was from Sturgeon Rd to Westwood Drive and Portage to Assiniboine. She was a 25-year member of Westwood Presbyterian Church and a 25-year member of the United Church Women.

Mom received 2 Paul Harris Fellowships from Rotary. Paul Harris Fellowships are presented to people in recognition of outstanding contributions in the community.

She volunteered at a little second-hand shop downtown called Just Like New to You and this was very dear to her heart. She worked on Saturdays and was the Floor Manager/Lead Cashier. She met many wonderful people at this shop, and she truly enjoyed her volunteer work there. And we are pretty sure she was their best customer!

When she wasn’t volunteering, she looked after a home, a husband, 3 kids and a dog. She made dinner every night and we always had dinner together. She did all the household chores and when we were going camping or on any trip, she got us all packed up to go.

Mom loved to watch all the sports on TV. She was a loyal Blue Bomber fan and Winnipeg Jets fan. She held season tickets for the Bombers up until the new stadium was built at the U of M. She “was not going to drive that far for a football game”. She never missed a Bomber game, Jets game or curling on TV.

Mom was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bob, her brothers Wally and Bert, her sister Norma and her son-in-law Dan. Left to cherish her memory are her children Creig (Joy), Allison and Diane. She also leaves 5 grandchildren, Evangeline (Mike), Katelynn (Dennis), Kelsey (Tim), Ami and Aaron as well as 4 great grandchildren who affectionately call her GeeGee, Annika, Creig, Jocelynn and Nora. Also remembered by many nieces and nephews.

Mom had a keen sense of humor that was there right until the end. Her care team told her that she was the bright light of the ward. Right from Health Care Aids to Doctors and Nurses, she touched them all in some way. We shared many hugs and tears with all of them.

We would like to thank her Grace Hospital Care team, Dr. Furman and Dr. Bray for their care and support. Also, all the nurses and health care aids on 4 South. Mom told them it was a “5 Star Resort”.

We would like to also thank the Spiritual Care department, in particular Andre Vanderstoep, whose support and non-judgemental chats carried us through this journey.

Cremation has taken place and a private family interment will be held at a later date. We will be having a Celebration of Life on June 25, details to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Phyllis’s name to the Winnipeg Humane Society or a charity of your choice.

“Until we meet again Mom, cheers to a life well lived. We will always be kind and love one another.”