Obituary of Gwen Bell
To participate in the livestream of Gwen's service please click here.
To participate in the livestream of Gwen's graveside service please click here
Gwen Bell, age 92, passed into the Lord’s presence on April 12, 2021 at Luther Village on the Park Retirement Home, Waterloo. Beloved wife of 55 years, to John (Jack) Bell who predeceased her in 2004. Loving mother of Carolyn Gardy (David 2017), Brian (Laurel), and Kevin (Sue). Proud grandmother of Tricia (Doug), Matthew (Tina), Lauren, Carolyn (Isaac), Julianne (Callam), Daniel (Brianna), Ryan (Salem), and Allie (Jake). Dear great-grandmother of Savannah, Colten, Addisen, Ben, Brooklyn, Clara, Luke, James, Kieran, Penny, Georgia, and Eloise. Aunt and Great-Aunt to many nieces and nephews. Gwen is predeceased by her parents, Dudley and Alice Widdifield, and sisters Olive (Bill) Eaton, Marion (Bob) Cowan, and Merle (Bill) Smith.
Gwen was born on July 5, 1928. She grew up in Toronto and married the love of her life, Jack Bell, in 1949. A teacher by profession, Gwen had a passion for instructing elementary age children. She taught for a number of years until shifting focus to raise her own three children, as a full-time homemaker, which was her true calling. Gwen dearly loved all her children, grand-children and great grand-children and prayed daily for each of them by name.
Gwen was a gifted musician and served for many years as church pianist, among other roles, at High Park Baptist Church. After moving to Waterloo in 2007 she was warmly welcomed at Benton Street Baptist Church where she made many new friends and played the piano for seniors. She continued to play the piano right up into her 92nd year. Along with her love of music, Gwen was deeply inspired by the beauty of God’s creation. She developed her creative skills as an accomplished artist, baker and seamstress. She took great delight in hosting family celebrations and was thrilled to get together with everyone for feasting, laughter and sharing.
We will always love Gwen and miss her greatly, and yet we are comforted in knowing that she is with her heavenly Father and is now truly at peace. The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the Memory Care staff at Luther Village on the Park for their exceptional compassionate care of Gwen.
Due to Covid restrictions, the funeral service will be held for immediate family by invitation only at 2:00 pm on April 17, 2021, at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home in Waterloo. Relatives and friends are invited to attend attend virtually using the live stream provided at www.erbgood.com. Memorial donations in Gwen’s honour may be made through the funeral home to the Muskoka Bible Centre, a place that was very special to Gwen.
