Obituaries

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Roberta Bell, affectionately known to everyone as 'Toots', who passed away peacefully at the Miramichi Regional Hospital on Aug 28th surrounded by family.
Toots was born on August 6th, 1935, the only child of the late Robert and Stella Sobey of Maple Glen. She is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Herb Bell. Toots and Herb lived in their home in Newcastle for 66 of those years and she never wanted to leave. She is also survived by two sons: Robert "Bobby" of Sevogle and Dana of Miramichi, three daughters, Maureen Ellis (Kerry Parks), Nola Chiasson (Gilles), and Wendy (Donny LeBlanc) all of Miramichi. Mom adored her grandchildren and asked about them every day: Kristel Morrison (Craig) of Fort Saskatchewan AB, David Ellis (Julie) and Kayleigh Thibeault (Fabien) both of Bathurst, Mike Chiasson (Michelle Mariano) of Miramichi, Matthew Chiasson (Samantha Summers) and Danielle Wilson (Kyle), both of Toronto ON; and her five great-grandchildren; Ayden Ellis, Annabelle and Henry Thibeault, and Jaxon and Jenessa Morrison. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Joan Mahoney, who really was more like a sister.
Besides her parents, Mom was predeceased by her “second parents”, Aunt and Uncle Emma and Peter O'Shea; Sister-and-brother-in law Glornah and Ray Savage, brother-in-law Gerald Mahoney, brother-and-sister-in-law Jack and Kay Bell, and sister-in-law Carol Murphy (Ben).
Mom spent many years as a full time Mom, and after we grew, she enjoyed many years of working winters at the Newcastle Curling Club where she carried out all the administrative duties, curling scheduling, and held the place together! She was also a great curler and accomplished the illusive 'Eight-Ender' with longtime curling mates Donna MacDonald, Bodgie Jardine and Leslie MacDonald.
Mom also loved Auction 45's and her "Card Club" with regulars Joan Mahoney, Kay Pinder, Theresa Underhill, Barb Underhill, Barbara Waye, Pauline Gauvin, Diana Parnell, Susie Anderson, Helena MacKinnon, Eleanor Sullivan and Marlene Dolan. They met every Tuesday night from September to June for over 50 years. Love of playing cards stayed with Mom to the end with regular requests for anyone available to come and play in the evenings, and she even played a few games in the hospital, never missing a beat.
Growing up we spent summers on camping trips, seasonally camping at the Enclosure or Manderson's before it was the thing to do. The tent trailer that slept 7 was hauled everywhere from around the Cabot Trail to Ontario to visit Dad's sister Carol. Mom and Dad travelled throughout the US and Canada including the World Fair in 1986 in Vancouver, where they watched the forest fires running through the Miramichi on TV. After retirement Mom and Dad continued their love of travel with trips to Europe, Morocco, Brazil, throughout the US, cruising the Caribbean and West coast, and wintering for many years in Florida.

Travel was great but there was no place like home and Mom always looked forward to July 1st when a crowd of friends and relatives would gather at Mom and Dad’s to watch the parade. Many summers were spent at their camp in Exmore, with visitors encouraged and always welcome.
When election season rolled around Mom was the ultimate dedicated worker. She could be found working day and night at the candidate headquarters and at the polls. She enumerated door to door and then could always tell us who lived where.
But family was where Mom's heart was. She loved to be surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved holidays or celebrations that brought all of her family together. Her kindness and love outshone everyone. She would pick a fly off a window and set it free outside.
The family will be holding a visitation at Jardine Funeral Home, 597 Old King George Highway, Miramichi on Wednesday, August 30th, 2023 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm. A funeral service will be held at Jardine Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, August 31st at 2:00pm with Father Cornelius officiating.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Miramichi Regional Hospital 3 East and others for their kindness and care shown to Mom during her stay in Miramichi.
As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Miramichi SPCA, the Alzheimer's Society, or a charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated by the family.
Messages of condolence for the family can be sent through the funeral home website at www.miramichifunerals.ca
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Jardine Funeral Home 597 Old King George Highway Miramichi NB. 506-622-7464 or 506-622-3600