Memories of Ruth Irene Bell

In memory of

Ruth Irene Bell

Anaheim Hills, CA

June 19, 1934 - January 4, 2019

Jun 19, 1934 - Jan 4, 2019

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Linda Wilson

I met Ruth at Margarita school. I loved Ruth’s laughter while she told stories about school and life. She had great enthusiasm teaching science and I enjoyed her science workshops. Ruth was such a kind person she always opened her home for Margarita gatherings. Ruth was always kind to me and Iam very grateful for her helping me plan my retirement party at home. I will always remember Ruth’s laughter and her graciousness.

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Michael Dorning

Mrs. Bell(that's all I can call her since 4 years old) was one of a kind. She always put others before herself. I remembered her grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Her home was always open to all of us. Glad for her that her suffering is over. Rest in peace. God bless. You will be missed.

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Lynn Padilla

(From Julia Rocha - typed by Lynn) I knew Ruth for 3 years. She and I volunteered in the Palacio kitchen for some of our events. She was always smiling and very determined to accomplish our tasks. I recall seeing Ruth almost every Tuesday at our Palacio prayer meetings. She always shared and enjoyed praying for others. She will be missed by us all.

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In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to Local Chapter of the ASPCA (American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)/Humane Society or donor's favorite charity.

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Lynn Padilla

Ruth and I were very close friends. Ruth loved her sons and talked about them frequently. Ruth and I attended prayer meetings together most Tuesdays. We watched the World Series, the Olympics, and other favorite shows on tv most nights. One of my favorite memories is our weekly visits to Pier 1 Imports and our fun lunches together. Baskin Robbins was one of her favorite places to visit: she loved ice cream. There are many memories I will always treasure.

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Comments:

Lynn Padilla

The Email was sent by Lynn, but the memory is Angie Knight’s! The Email was sent by Lynn, but the memory is Angie Knight’s! The Email was sent by Lynn, but the memory is Angie... Read more

Marie

My name is Marie and I met Ruth when I moved here to Palacio..we worked in the kitchen with Marty whenever an event required food and "clean up ".. we also attended Bible study and sat across from each other..I miss her smile and stories about her family she was very proud of.. Praying for God's Blessing and his peace for your family 🙏

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Marie

Lynn Padilla

My name is Lynn, and I coordinate the prayer ministry at Palacio Senior Apartments. Ruth was a member of our team for about 2 years. She attended almost every Tuesday meeting, and always reminded her good friend, Angie, to come along with her. Ruth was always eager to pray and share. We know we will see our good friend, Ruth, in heaven someday.

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Marie

Cecile Ouellet

Ruth was a lovely lady who was always ready to help. Her passing is a lost to both family and friends. Now living in Wyoming, I will be unable to attend her service.
Cecile Ouellet

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Comments:

Greg Wooxk

I loved meeting her for the first time and spending a nice albeit windy afternoon with her and her sister... Read more I loved meeting her for the first time and spending a nice albeit windy afternoon with her and her sister Mary in Morrow Bay. I loved meeting her for the first time and spending... Read more

Richard Peterson

To the Bell Family,

I first meet Ruth in the mid 1950's in Niles, MI. Her husband, Tom Bell, was a good friend of mine. This resulted in getting to know Ruth. We all enjoyed the care free years of the 50's. After their marriage, they took a "leap of faith," and moved to So. California. With in a short period of time, four active boys appeared on the scene. She was a very supportive and a loving mother, as the boys engaged in various sports. She always attended the games and supported her family. In the 70's, I made many visits to So. Calif, and I always found my way to Diamond Bar, where I was welcomed by Ruth and her family. She was a wonderful cook, and always had a smile and laugh. Many fond memories were created in Diamond Bar.

She will be missed, but not forgotten. May her soul rest in peace.

With love to all. Dick Peterson (Uncle Pete) Cassopolis, MI

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Colleen Cope

I also met Ruth backin 1990 at Margarita School. I was a first year teacher who had been bumped from another school three weeks into a new school year. I was traumatized but I remember the whole Margarita staff was warm and welcoming. Ruth was part of that warmth. She had a mothering quality about her and she would check in on me to see how I was surviving my first year of teaching.
I remember so well her love of science. I attended many trainings that she coordinated. I remember she was so impressed at a song I had made up for my little first graders to learn about solids, liquids, and gasses that she made me sing it in front of a big group of teachers at a science inservice. I’m positive I was fifty shades of red but we all got a good laugh out of it.
Thank you Ruth for being my ‘mom away from Mom’ in those early years of my teaching career. I’m a better teacher because of you.

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Garvetta Hager

2019

I met Ruth at Margarita School. I’ll always remember her love for science and when she brought the Star Lab to the school for the students. I enjoyed seeing all my Margarita friends when Ruth held a school reunion at her house. God Bless you Ruth. Another Angel in heaven!

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Comments:

Joyce Cool

-----Original Message-----
From: Joyce Cool 
Subject: Memories of Ruth

Dear Tim,
 
Due to the fact that I have a hard time getting around, I am not planning to attend Ruth's funeral service on Saturday.  I would, however, like to share one of my favorite memories of our long time friendship.
 
Ruth and I took a number of trips together. Our travels included, New York, New England, Prince Edward Island, Alaska and Hawaii, but the most memorable trip took place in Florida.
 
Anyone who taught school with Ruth knows that her favorite subjects were science and astronomy.  The year was 1998 and John Glenn, at the age of 77, was scheduled to be a part of a space flight that was to evaluate the effects of such a flight on an older man.
 
I foolishly suggested that instead of getting tangled up in traffic that we could probably see the blast off from the top of our hotel. Ruth would have nothing to do with that idea, we were going to Cape Canaveral...PERIOD!  I am so glad that she insisted we go to the actual launch site.  We watched the blast off from the rooftop of the Astronaut's Hall of Fame.  It was an exciting and unforgettable experience.

-----Original Message-----
From: Joyce Cool
Subject: Memories of Ruth

Dear Tim,

Due to the fact... Read more -----Original Message-----
From: Joyce Cool
Subject: Memories of Ruth

Dear Tim,

Due to the fact that I have a hard... Read more -----Original Message-----
From: Joyce Cool
Subject:... Read more

Annette Martinez

2019, Montclair, CA, USA

"Teaching with Ruth" from Annette Martinez

I first met Ruth when I started teaching at Margarita Elementary School. We had something in common--we both had returned to college and started teaching at an older age than most other people. We had 3 sons and were both divorced. Ruth had been teaching for a few years before I started. She was helpful and supportive at all times. We were oftentimes leaving the school after dark. Somehow she got me into the California Science Instructors organization--which involved many out of school training sessions and countless hours of gathering supplies, trying out the experiments, and demonstrating to other teachers. Thanks to Ruth we both got fired up with teaching science. After a few years, we both moved into the same area in Upland--we lived a few blocks away from each other. Our friendship strengthened as we shared dinners, babysat dogs, attended each others family functions, commiserated about our problems, laughed for no reason, shared concerns about our kids, and later on enjoyed bragging about our grandkids.We shared many deep discussions about life, love, and losing. She was a strong intelligent woman! I will always treasure my memories of Ruth's help and friendship.

After we both retired, we felt we had to substitute teach to make ends meet. I was amazed Ruth would keep accepting long-term teaching jobs. I tried it a few times, but got worn out. Ruth kept on going despite having a bad knee that plagued her for many years!! My biggest regret was I lost contact with Ruth when she moved closer to her kids. Every week I had the intention to try to contact her, but I kept putting it off. Remember to reach out to your friends now--don't wait until it is too late.

Thank you, Annette Martinez.

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Linda Wilson

Comments:

Charla Kessell

Everyone at Palacio Senior Apartments has had the sweetest, nicest memories to share about Ruth. She was ... Read more Everyone at Palacio Senior Apartments has had the sweetest, nicest memories to share about Ruth. She was loved. She quietly did... Read more Everyone at Palacio Senior Apartments has had the sweetest,... Read more

Al Sheller

We all met when Scott and Steve were nine years old, and we've had some great times over the years. Ruth... Read more We all met when Scott and Steve were nine years old, and we've had some great times over the years. Ruth Bell was the greatest... Read more We all met when Scott and Steve were nine years old,... Read more

Bob Taylor

Ruth Bell was an amazing  friend and teaching colleague. She came to Mission Elementary and and soon revealed herself as "one of those" teachers; the kind  who is "all in" when when you ask for ideas about curriculum, materials,  or instructional strategies. You mention that you are going to teach "California Gold Rush" and she delivers to your classroom a big box of instructional guides, lesson samples, artifacts, maps, videos, panning equipment, and gold dust. Then she starts talking field trips.  Soon  she invites you to her garage to search for the real good stuff.  While some teachers  would be satisfied with a textbook chapter and a word search, Ruth organized and led a fourth grade trip by jet plane to Sacramento to see the state capitol, Sutter's Mill, the American River, a  railroad museum and,  eat pizza before flying home in the evening. When we brainstormed ideas to promote reading, Ruth managed to get 30 students  to spend the night at our school for a "Pajama Read Over".  I cherish the vivid image in my mind of Ruth in pajamas and fluffy robe, propped up on pillows across her inflatable mattress, surrounded by 9-year-olds listening intently to the story she reads aloud. One more thing:  I mention to Ruth that I plan to observe  an impressive meteor shower in the night sky above my house in the following week.  I tell her it's predicted to begin about 1:00 a.m. on a school night. She insists that I call and wake her before it starts so that she can join me. I do and she arrives about 1 a.m. on the street  where we have a clear view of the sky. We sit in lawn chairs, heads back, eyes up , staring at the darkness as we chat quietly in the chill. At 2:30, we have yet to see meteors.  A  short time later, very sleepy and a little disappointed we decide to give it up after  5 more minutes of watching. Just as the deadline approached, a bright and then brighter flare appeared in the sky crossing our view, trailing a glowing cloud of colored gases, and delivering loud hisses until it exploded loudly into several flaming  parts arcing downward toward the earth.  We both express "wows" and Ruth tells me , "That was sooo worth it!"

Ruth Bell was an amazing friend and teaching colleague. She came to Mission Elementary and and soon revealed... Read more herself as "one of those" teachers; the kind who is "all in" when when you ask for ideas about curriculum, materials, or instructional strategies. You mention that you are going to teach "California Gold Rush" and she delivers to your classroom a big box of instructional guides, lesson samples, artifacts, maps, videos, panning equipment, and gold dust. Then she starts talking field trips. Soon she invites you to her garage to search for the real good stuff. While some teachers would be satisfied with a textbook chapter and a word search, Ruth organized and led a fourth grade trip by jet plane to Sacramento to see the state capitol, Sutter's Mill, the American River, a railroad museum and, eat pizza before flying home in the evening. When we brainstormed ideas to promote reading, Ruth managed to get 30 students to spend the night at our school for a "Pajama Read Over". I cherish the vivid image in my mind of Ruth in pajamas and fluffy robe, propped up on pillows across her inflatable mattress, surrounded by 9-year-olds listening intently to the story she reads aloud. One more thing: I mention to Ruth that I plan to observe an impressive meteor shower in the night sky above my house in the following week. I tell her it's predicted to begin about 1:00 a.m. on a school night. She insists that I call and wake her before it starts so that she can join me. I do and she arrives about 1 a.m. on the street where we have a clear view of the sky. We sit in lawn chairs, heads back, eyes up , staring at the darkness as we chat quietly in the chill. At 2:30, we have yet to see meteors. A short time later, very sleepy and a little disappointed we decide to give it up after 5 more minutes of watching. Just as the deadline approached, a bright and then brighter flare appeared in the sky crossing our view, trailing a glowing cloud of colored gases, and delivering loud hisses until it exploded loudly into several flaming parts arcing downward toward the earth. We both express "wows" and Ruth tells me , "That was sooo worth it!" Read less Ruth Bell was an amazing friend and teaching colleague. She came to Mission Elementary and and soon revealed herself as "one ... Read moreof those" teachers; the kind who is "all in" when when you ask for ideas about curriculum, materials, or instructional strategies. You mention that you are going to teach "California Gold Rush" and she delivers to your classroom a big box of instructional guides, lesson samples, artifacts, maps, videos, panning equipment, and gold dust. Then she starts talking field trips. Soon she invites you to her garage to search for the real good stuff. While some teachers would be satisfied with a textbook chapter and a word search, Ruth organized and led a fourth grade trip by jet plane to Sacramento to see the state capitol, Sutter's Mill, the American River, a railroad museum and, eat pizza before flying home in the evening. When we brainstormed ideas to promote reading, Ruth managed to get 30 students to spend the night at our school for a "Pajama Read Over". I cherish the vivid image in my mind of Ruth in pajamas and fluffy robe, propped up on pillows across her inflatable mattress, surrounded by 9-year-olds listening intently to the story she reads aloud. One more thing: I mention to Ruth that I plan to observe an impressive meteor shower in the night sky above my house in the following week. I tell her it's predicted to begin about 1:00 a.m. on a school night. She insists that I call and wake her before it starts so that she can join me. I do and she arrives about 1 a.m. on the street where we have a clear view of the sky. We sit in lawn chairs, heads back, eyes up , staring at the darkness as we chat quietly in the chill. At 2:30, we have yet to see meteors. A short time later, very sleepy and a little disappointed we decide to give it up after 5 more minutes of watching. Just as the deadline approached, a bright and then brighter flare appeared in the sky crossing our view, trailing a glowing cloud of colored gases, and delivering loud hisses until it exploded loudly into several flaming parts arcing downward toward the earth. We both express "wows" and Ruth tells me , "That was sooo worth it!" Read less Ruth Bell was an amazing friend and teaching colleague.... Read more She came to Mission Elementary and and soon revealed herself as "one of those" teachers; the kind who is "all in" when when you ask for ideas about curriculum, materials, or instructional strategies. You mention that you are going to teach "California Gold Rush" and she delivers to your classroom a big box of instructional guides, lesson samples, artifacts, maps, videos, panning equipment, and gold dust. Then she starts talking field trips. Soon she invites you to her garage to search for the real good stuff. While some teachers would be satisfied with a textbook chapter and a word search, Ruth organized and led a fourth grade trip by jet plane to Sacramento to see the state capitol, Sutter's Mill, the American River, a railroad museum and, eat pizza before flying home in the evening. When we brainstormed ideas to promote reading, Ruth managed to get 30 students to spend the night at our school for a "Pajama Read Over". I cherish the vivid image in my mind of Ruth in pajamas and fluffy robe, propped up on pillows across her inflatable mattress, surrounded by 9-year-olds listening intently to the story she reads aloud. One more thing: I mention to Ruth that I plan to observe an impressive meteor shower in the night sky above my house in the following week. I tell her it's predicted to begin about 1:00 a.m. on a school night. She insists that I call and wake her before it starts so that she can join me. I do and she arrives about 1 a.m. on the street where we have a clear view of the sky. We sit in lawn chairs, heads back, eyes up , staring at the darkness as we chat quietly in the chill. At 2:30, we have yet to see meteors. A short time later, very sleepy and a little disappointed we decide to give it up after 5 more minutes of watching. Just as the deadline approached, a bright and then brighter flare appeared in the sky crossing our view, trailing a glowing cloud of colored gases, and delivering loud hisses until it exploded loudly into several flaming parts arcing downward toward the earth. We both express "wows" and Ruth tells me , "That was sooo worth it!" Read less

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In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to Local Chapter of the ASPCA (American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)/Humane Society or donor's favorite charity.

Learn more & give