Nancy Jane Bell died on Oct. 19 at The Taylor Community, Laconia, N.H., where she had been a resident for the past five years since moving from New Harbor.
Nancy was born Jan. 8, 1928 in Buffalo, N.Y., daughter of Herbert and Genevieve Tolsma. She was educated in the public schools of Buffalo, Bennett High and Amherst High of Snyder, N.Y. She has Associate Degree in Hospital Dietetics from Rochester Institute of Technology.
Nancy worked at Buffalo Children’s Hospital and Geneva General Hospital. Then in the 1960s to 1980 she was with Welcome Wagon International, Training Director and Field Manager for the State of Connecticut.
In April of 1980 she married the Rev. David W. Bell who was then pastor of the Laconia-Gilford United Methodist Church. Nancy was a great partner of their team in ministry in Contoocook where she taught church school and helped found and direct a Hospice program. In the Bow United Methodist Church she helped found and lead a widow/widower support group. During these years the couple built their retirement home in New Harbor.
In 1988 Rev. Bell was transferred to service the United Methodist Church in Waldoboro. Nancy organized a literacy program for the children coming to the Well Child Clinics held at the church. David retired in 1994 and they moved to their home in New Harbor. Nancy volunteered every week at the Miles Hospital in Damariscotta for 11 years. She served on the Board of Directors of Geneva Point Center in Moultonborough for 12 years, crewed for the annual Friendship Sloop Races for 26 years and walked in the cancer drives. In 2006 the couple moved to The Taylor Community in Laconia, N.H., where Nancy served on the Board of Directors.
She was predeceased by her first husband, Ronald Smith and brothers, Herbert Jr. and Donald Tolsma.
She is survived by her husband, the Rev. David W. Bell; daughters, Kimberly Smith Force and husband Ron of Madison, N.H., Ronni-Jo Smith Beaudry and husband Len of Worthington, Mass.; step children, Andi Bell and wife Debby of Thornton, N.H., Deborah Bell Fauver and husband Peter of North Conway, N.H., and Peter Bell and wife Melina of Lexington, Va.; grandchildren, Keith Force, Jason Force, Ryan Arnold, Sarah Fauver and Alex Fauver; great-grandchildren, Stephanie and Katelyn Force; brother, Richard Tolsma and wife Elaine of Williamsville, N.Y.; sister, Judy Tolsma Benson and husband Ronald of East Amherst, N.Y.; 18 nieces and 11 nephews.
There are no calling hours. Celebration of her life, 11 a,m., Sat., Oct. 29 at the First United Methodist Church, 18 Wesley Way, Rte 11A, Gilford, N.H.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 7408, Gilford, NH 03247 or The Taylor Community, 435 Union Ave., Laconia, NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.
