Gouverneur - Betty Anne Leonard Bell, 89, passed away Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at home under the care of her daughters and Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley.
Betty was born on March 25, 1927 in Syracuse, the daughter of Francis Gerald and Miriam Rose Johnson Leonard. She attended RIT for fashion/ design after her high school graduation and took music classes at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam.
Betty married Harold Albert Bell on September 1, 1949 at the Gouverneur United Methodist Church. Mr. Bell, a longtime agent of New York Life Insurance Company, passed away on December 12, 1998.
Betty was a mother, a homemaker, a piano teacher, and an Avon sales representative for over 30 years. She enjoyed playing the piano and accordion, making crafts, drawing, decorating, and craft fairs. Betty was also known for hosting theme parties, taking in animals, spending summers at Sylvia Lake and winters in Florida.
Betty was a member of the Gouverneur United Methodist Church, Gouverneur Business Women, Gouverneur Garden Club, Knitting Club, attended the Elks Club with her husband Harold, and served on the St. Lawrence County Fair Queen committee.
Betty is survived by her two daughters April Ann Bell Devaux and her husband Bruno of Fairport, Annette Bell Kirker and her husband Gary of Gouverneur, her three granddaughters Courtney and Brian Pierce, Camareigh and Peter Fuller, Stephanie and Carter Vaisey, 7 great grandchildren Noah, Lily Bell, and Olivia Pierce, Hixson and Keegan Fuller, Allison and Ian Vaisey. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Jack and Lorraine Bell of Spragueville, nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Harold, her parents, and a sister-in-law Flora Jean and Dick Conklin.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday, November 12th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Green Funeral Home, Gouverneur. Burial will be private at Riverside Cemetery in Gouverneur.
Memorial donations in Betty's memory may be made to Friends 4 Pound Paws, PO Box 394, Gouverneur, NY 13642 or Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley, 6805 US Hwy 11, Potsdam, NY 13676.