Obituary for Lois T. Bell
East Millinocket – Lois T. (Coffey) Bell, 89, wife of the late Thomas W. Bell, died Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at a Millinocket health care facility. She was born March 19, 1930 in Milltown, New Brunswick, the daughter of James R. and Hazel T. (Wilson) Coffey.
Lois attended Teacher’s College in Fredericton, NB, after which she taught school at various small schools in Atlantic Canada. In 1953, Lois married Thomas Bell. They immigrated to East Millinocket in 1954, where Tom got a job at Great Northern Paper Company during an expansion period. They made their home in East Millinocket where they raised their five children. Lois continued her love of teaching by working as a regular, much sought after, substitute in the local elementary school for over 40 years. Lois was a devout and practicing Catholic and used her talents to teach religious education for over 20 years, as well as an active member of the Daughters of Isabella, St. Ann’s Circle. Lois was a social person and had many close friendships that she enjoyed with almost daily outings for coffee and connection. Most of all, Lois was a loving and kind mother, guiding and teaching her children by example. She will be remembered for the grace and dignity she showed to all those she met.
Lois is survived by her five children, Teresa Surrette and her husband Neal, Stephen Bell and his wife Susan, Mark Bell and his wife Brenda, Bernadette Stolt, and Thomas Bell and his wife Sandra; nine grandchildren, Timothy Surrette, Ellen Stevens, Melissa Bell, Laura Bell, Nicholas Bell, Angela Gadbois, Richard McAlllister, Matthew Garand, and Emilie Garand; nine great grandchildren, Chase Stevens, Leah Stevens, Everett Surrette, Ella Surrette, Nicholas Bell, Jr., Margaretta Bell, Harrison Bell, John Bell, and Isabelle Gadbois; a sister in law, Doreen Fairley; a brother in law, Peter Bell; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents and her husband, Lois was predeceased by a son in law, Robert Stolt, and siblings Philip Coffey, William Coffey, and Joyce Coffey.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and staff at Katahdin Health Care for the loving and attentive care given to Lois and the many courtesies and kindnesses to her family.
Friends are invited to visit with the family 4-6 P.M. Friday, March 22 at the Lamson Funeral Home, 17 Western Avenue, East Millinocket. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 A.M. Saturday, March 23 at Christ the Divine Mercy Parish, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 58 Cedar St., East Millinocket with the Rev. Bruce Siket, pastor, presider. Spring interment will be at the East Millinocket Cemetery. Gifts in memory of Lois may be sent to Christ the Divine Mercy Parish, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 58 Cedar Street, East Millinocket, ME 04430.
Lois attended Teacher’s College in Fredericton, NB, after which she taught school at various small schools in Atlantic Canada. In 1953, Lois married Thomas Bell. They immigrated to East Millinocket in 1954, where Tom got a job at Great Northern Paper Company during an expansion period. They made their home in East Millinocket where they raised their five children. Lois continued her love of teaching by working as a regular, much sought after, substitute in the local elementary school for over 40 years. Lois was a devout and practicing Catholic and used her talents to teach religious education for over 20 years, as well as an active member of the Daughters of Isabella, St. Ann’s Circle. Lois was a social person and had many close friendships that she enjoyed with almost daily outings for coffee and connection. Most of all, Lois was a loving and kind mother, guiding and teaching her children by example. She will be remembered for the grace and dignity she showed to all those she met.
Lois is survived by her five children, Teresa Surrette and her husband Neal, Stephen Bell and his wife Susan, Mark Bell and his wife Brenda, Bernadette Stolt, and Thomas Bell and his wife Sandra; nine grandchildren, Timothy Surrette, Ellen Stevens, Melissa Bell, Laura Bell, Nicholas Bell, Angela Gadbois, Richard McAlllister, Matthew Garand, and Emilie Garand; nine great grandchildren, Chase Stevens, Leah Stevens, Everett Surrette, Ella Surrette, Nicholas Bell, Jr., Margaretta Bell, Harrison Bell, John Bell, and Isabelle Gadbois; a sister in law, Doreen Fairley; a brother in law, Peter Bell; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents and her husband, Lois was predeceased by a son in law, Robert Stolt, and siblings Philip Coffey, William Coffey, and Joyce Coffey.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and staff at Katahdin Health Care for the loving and attentive care given to Lois and the many courtesies and kindnesses to her family.
Friends are invited to visit with the family 4-6 P.M. Friday, March 22 at the Lamson Funeral Home, 17 Western Avenue, East Millinocket. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 A.M. Saturday, March 23 at Christ the Divine Mercy Parish, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 58 Cedar St., East Millinocket with the Rev. Bruce Siket, pastor, presider. Spring interment will be at the East Millinocket Cemetery. Gifts in memory of Lois may be sent to Christ the Divine Mercy Parish, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 58 Cedar Street, East Millinocket, ME 04430.