BELL, June Annie (née Dear / Chapman)

An enormous sense of loss pervades the passing of June Bell. I have been her friend for only the last 2 ½ years of her life. Throughout this time I have born witness to the true meaning of courage, authenticity, and resilience. Her unfailing humour and quick wit, curiosity and keen insights; her unflagging interest in people, events and the world at large; her indefatigable desire to experience new things and to fully live life; her strong sense of justice and sensitivity to the needs of others; her willingness to take on the vicissitudes of life with determination; her endless capacity for love, thoughtfulness and open-heartedness; her refusal to accept her lot, if she saw fit, without a fight; to remain independent however possible; to retain her sense of dignity and her identity as a professional nurse and as a mother; her fierce loyalty and steadfast determination to retain her maternal responsibilities to the end….all of these, was my experience of June Bell. If one needed a champion, June would be the one I would want in my court . She is dearly missed but an example to us all.