Wasilla resident
Olive J. Bell, died Feb. 24, 2003, at Valley Hospital after reaching
the end of her path. A celebration of life will be held May 17 at the
Wasilla Area Senior Center.
Mrs. Bell was born
April 17, 1915, in Yakima, Wash. She graduated from high school in
Milford, N.H., attended business college in Pomona, Calif. and Scripts
College in Claremont, Calif. She worked for the United States Space
Program at Vandenberg, A.F.B. from 1962-1967. She came to Alaska in the
fall of 1969. She worked as a reporter and editor for the Alaskana
Newspaper from 1969-1973 and as an editor for the Artic Sun from
1973-1984.
She also endeavored to get the gas line in place for Alaska
OMAR.
Mrs. Bell lived in Palmer from 1985-1994, then moved to Wasilla
where she worked for Wal-Mart as a greeter from 1995-1997.
She was a member of
the Wasilla Area Seniors and the Alaska Womens Writers Assoc. She
received many awards and honors. Her latest honor occured when former
governor Tony Knowles placed her poem "God and Alaska" in the
legislative hall in Juneau. Her hobbies included writing, raising money
for senior causes, guest speaking in the elementery schools and
traveling. She went to Australia in 1996 and to Holland in 2001 to see
the tulips. She couldn't find a traveling partner either time so it was
just her and her wheelchair.
Her friends wrote
"Olive was incredibly gracious and inclusive to all she met and came to
know. She was never at a loss for conversation. She was ever ready to
go up until the last few months, she had even made plans to go to
Denmark. Those of us who knew her carry memories of wonderful
gatherings with coffee, elegent surroundings and great conversation."
She was preceded in
death by her husband of 20 years "Red" Bell; her parents Harry and
Buelah and all of her siblings. She is survived by many close friends
and acquaintances.
Memorial donations may be made to the Wasilla Area Seniors ( WASI), at 1301 Century Circle, Wasilla AK 99654.
