July 21, 1945 - December 7, 2024
In loving memory ~
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Reta "Joy" Bell announce her peaceful passing on December 7, 2024, in Courtenay, B.C.
Joy was born in Comox B.C. on July 21, 1945, and grew up on her parents' farm on the Island Highway in Merville. As a young girl Joy loved the outdoor farm life and would always choose to go help her Dad in the fields rather than being inside helping with household chores.
In 1962 Joy graduated from Tsolum High School and began working at Seale and Thomson in Courtenay.
It wasn't long after when a handsome young man by the name of Bill Bell caught Joy's eye. Determined to get her man, she would always make a point of conveniently walking up and down the street in front of places where she knew he was, in hopes that he would notice her. That day came when he finally worked up the nerve to stop his car and ask if he could give her a ride.
From that point on, Bill and Joy were inseparable. They were married on Bill's 25th birthday, August 5th, 1967. Joy figured it was the best way for Bill to never forget their anniversary!
Joy followed Bill throughout his career in logging, including moving 12 times in a very short period to places such as Nanaimo, Powell River, Kokish and Courtenay. During this time, they were blessed with 2 boys, Scott in 1969, followed not long after by Duncan in 1970. Bill and Joy finally settled on a piece of family property on Hodgins Road in Merville in 1976 and began building their family home. Every log that went into their home was hand stripped by Bill and Joy. Their home was a unique reflection of their lives, the outdoors, and their love.
Together Bill and Joy also started and ran a number of successful businesses, including Merville Tree Farm, W Bell Contracting and Northern Ropes and Industrial Supply. Joy continued working at Northern Ropes until her retirement in 2023.
Bill and Joy were a very social couple and always loved entertaining. Many of the Merville Hall dances would end up with an afterparty at their home. Scott and Duncan's friends were always welcome, and Joy would often be the life of their parties as well. For many of their friends, she was like a second Mom. She participated in all of her boys' sporting events, whether it be picking up, dropping off, cheering from the sidelines, or getting kicked out of the games for yelling at the referees. Joy never missed a game. She was always so proud of her boys and was unwavering in her support to them throughout their lives. That tradition continued with her grandchildren. While she was able, she would always do her best to attend every game, and when she was no longer able to do so, she always loved to hear the details of the games and the scores that they would make. She was proud of each and every one of them.
Joy's two brothers, Jack and Brent, were very important to her, with one being an award-winning author and the other a decorated fire chief. In a small way, she emulated their life in hers when she joined the all-woman's volunteer fire department in Kokish and assisted with the editing of a book her mother wrote about the history of Merville.
Joy was predeceased by her parents, Stan and Reta Hodgins, her sister-in-law, Ann Hoffman, as well as her loving husband, Bill, who passed away in January 2019. She mourned his death until her very last breath. We are so grateful to know that she is back in his arms again and they will be together for eternity.
Joy is survived by her loving family, sons, Scott (Julie) and Duncan (Annette), grandchildren, Morgan, Jordan (Quinn), Cameron, Logan and Carson, step grandchildren, Cheyenne, Makenna and Kieran, her two brothers, Jack Hodgins (Diane) and Brent Hodgins (Sandi), brother in law Doug Bell (Roxanna), brother in law Paul Hoffman and numerous other family members and friends.
Special mention to daughter-in-law, Annette Bell, as well as Joy's dearest friends, Dave and Leslie Welde, for the daily care and assistance they gave to Joy that allowed her to remain in her home for as long as possible.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Peter Gee for the many years of care that he provided to Joy and the Comox Valley Home Care and Palliative Team that cared for Joy in her home. Thanks also to everyone who called or came to visit Joy during her brief stay in Hospice, as well as all of the staff at Ocean Front Village that cared for her, especially Jasmine, who was Joy's favourite.
Joy chose to be cremated with her ashes spread out over the rose gardens at her home that she loved so much.
The family will be holding a Celebration of Life in the Spring once Joy's garden is blooming again. Details will be shared at a later date.
Her flowers still bloom, and the sun it still shines,
But the rain is like tear drops for the ones left behind,
The weeds lay waiting to take beauty away,
But the beautiful memories in our hearts they stay.
