Shirley W. Bell, 83, of Warminster, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 22, 2018. She was the wife of William A. Bell, Jr., Ph.D., who passed away in 1996. The couple were married for 40 years and lived in New Hope, PA, where they raised their family.
Born in Bristol, England, Shirley was the daughter of the late Clifford and Edna Duddridge Watts.
The family moved to the United States in 1947, and although Shirley loved her life in the U.S., she never forgot her English roots. Every holiday, she would make multiple trays of cookies and minced pies to give to friends and neighbors.
A devoted wife and mother, Shirley also was a wonderful cook who loved to entertain family and friends with her gourmet dinners, baking, and long nights laughing with loved ones. She shared her love of cooking with local customers of the Cookery Ware Shop in Peddler’s Village, where she worked for more than 20 years. An avid knitter, Shirley also created intricate Irish sweaters with wool ordered from Ireland. Many of her creations, such as baby coats, hats and booties, were sold at local stores.
Living in Bucks County for so long, she became a lover of animals and nature, and had many bird feeders throughout her yard. Hummingbirds were her favorite and many of her feeders were designed to attract them. Years later, she would share her love of nature and cooking with her grandsons, Ian and Jonathan, who are carrying on many of her traditions.
She was a long time member of the Saint Martin of Tours Church, New Hope and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, Doylestown.
Shirley is survived by her daughter, Laurie Bell Scheff, of Philadelphia, her son, Brian Bell, (Deborah), of North Wales; her grandsons: Jonathan Scheff and Ian Bell (Kim); her great-grandchildren: Carley and Madison and her sisters: Audrey Panaro (David), of West Virginia, and Susan Serio (Len), of Seaford, DE, as well as many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to her funeral service 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at Reed and Steinbach Funeral Home, 2335 Lower State Road, Doylestown, where the family will receive guests from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will follow in Thompson Memorial Presbyterian Church Cemetery, New Hope.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Shirley’s name may be made to: Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market Street, Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19016.
