Ruth Bell

Ruth Jean Bell
December 28, 1929 - April 5, 2026

Ruth left this world on Resurrection Sunday with angels surely singing as she entered her heavenly home. She suffered a major health event on December 28th, her 96th birthday, and though she fought valiantly telling everyone she was going to live to 100, she never fully recovered. It was no surprise to her family that doctors and therapists remarked on her tenacity, and came away saying, “Never underestimate a 96 year-old!”

She was one of the Greatest Generation, growing up with hardship and poverty which instilled a strong work ethic, fortitude, and a can-do attitude. In the final days of Ruth’s life, her daughter remarked, “Mom, you are the strongest woman I know. You have faced much hardship without complaint, and gave your family a wonderful life.”

To that she modestly replied, “I’ve never thought of myself as anyone special. God put me on this earth and gave me things to do, and I did what needed to be done.”

Ruth was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the eldest of ten children, whose early years were framed by the Great Depression. From the time she was in elementary school, she helped her mother care for her younger brothers and sisters. When the family grew to ten children, there never seemed to be enough hours in a day to care for them, cook, clean, mend, and go to school. For many years there was no refrigerator, just an ice box, so she pulled a small wagon a half mile to the ice house carrying blocks of ice home, then making more trips to the grocer.

She shared stories of those days with her children and grandchildren. Imagine their disbelief when she told them she would bathe in only three inches of lukewarm water, but only after the babies, her parents, and several siblings had already bathed in the same water! Her father used to say, “Dirty water washes clean.” She never believed that, so once she was old enough to get a job, she joined the YMCA solely to use their showers. And long showers they were!

She spent most of her professional career working in the airline industry as a reservation agent, at a time when people picked up a telephone to call the airline and make their travel arrangements. That career led to marvelous airline benefits and the opportunity to fly free of charge as long as there were empty seats on the plane. Her children grew up thinking flying to the beaches of Hawaii and Mexico, or taking a ski vacation in the Rockies, or seeing European cities was something everyone did!

She raised her children to also enjoy the simple pleasures in life; a day at the beach turning over rocks and jumping from log to log, a picnic in West Seattle’s Lincoln Park under the shade of the giant cedars, a ride across Puget Sound on the ferry, or a day of skiing on Snoqualmie Pass.

Ruth loved her sweet home in West Seattle, raising her family and living there until she was 93. The backyard abutted a woodland with birds and squirrels providing endless entertainment. There were crows who perched daily on the back porch railing, staring in the kitchen window, and cawing until she tossed bread scraps into the yard. She loved those silly crows. Her yard was always manicured with neighbors admiring her roses and flowerbeds. It was a friendly neighborhood where her children played in the woods and along the street, neighbors stopped by to chat, and every mother on the block looked out for every other mother’s child.

She had a beautiful singing voice and sang in the choir of Alki United Church of Christ for decades. Her three children were married there, and she made lifelong friendships through the church. Her move from Seattle, Washington to Saco, Maine in 2023 was made easier by the many friends and neighbors who continued to stay in touch through calls, cards, emails, and even visits to Maine!

Indeed, Ruth was loved by many and her strength, dignity and good common sense were an inspiration to all who knew her well. She will be deeply missed, and surely looking down from heaven to make sure we don’t get ourselves in trouble without her wise counsel.

Ruth was predeceased by her parents, Ernest Stanley Bell and Laura Grace (Emery) Bell, and siblings; Bruce, Douglas, Gordon, Joan, and Brian Bell; and former husband, Ormsby Clifford Smith.

She is survived by her three children; Sandra (Smith) Larned and husband, Thomas; Douglas Smith and wife, Jody; Glenn Smith and wife Alma; six grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and four siblings; William Bell, Laureen (Bell) Jensen, Donald Bell, and Ralph Bell.

Her family would like to thank the loving staff of The Inn at Atlantic Heights in Saco, Maine for making her feel at home and loved these past three years, especially those who were caring for her so tenderly in the final days of her life. You gave her dignity in her passing. To all of the wonderful residents of The Inn who befriended her and enjoyed her sharp wit and honesty, thank you for being her Maine family!

Following her medical event in December she was equally loved and cared for by the wonderful staff of Seal Rock Healthcare. In the final weeks of her life, Compassus provided care for Ruth and her family. The tender care from every member of the hospice team, and their knowledge of the end of life eased Ruth on her way to heaven. Thank you all!

A celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM PDT in Seattle at Seaview Terrace 7019 47th Ave SW, Seattle, WA in the community building overlooking the pool.