Mary Elizabeth Bell
June 2, 1924 - April 6, 2023
Obituary
Mary Elizabeth Mayer Hoffman Bell passed away peacefully on April 6, 2023 at the age of 98. She was born in Dimock, South Dakota on June 2, 1924. She is survived by 9 of her 11 children, 36 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Grandma Bell was proud of her large and fun-filled family.
Mary was born in a German farming community, but at age five, during the depression, the family moved to Indiana. In 1942, Mary left home, taking the train across the country to California and worked on the final assembly line of the P-38 Aircraft at Lockheed Aircraft. She told a story of how she would write her address on the inside so that the soldiers could write to her. After the war she moved to Seattle with a friend and the next year met and married Willis Hoffman with whom she was married to for 25 years and had eleven amazing kids. She later remarried Joe Bell and spent 21 years together traveling the country until he passed away in November 1998.
Mary had a zest for life, was savvy with money and had a diverse range of hobbies that kept her engaged. She liked music and dancing and could often be found on the dance floor in her youth, twirling and spinning to the music. She even took up playing the bongo in later years. She loved walking around Seattle, exploring the shops and neighborhoods, and was always eager to explore new places and find a good deal at the Cloud 9 thrift store and willing to treat grandkids to Donna’s Ice Cream. Mary spent much time with her husband, Joe, traveling to Hawaii, at Port Susan, or in their RV around the country and going fishing. She enjoyed playing Bingo, scratch tickets, slot machines and Backgammon and often won. She seemed to always be on a lucky streak. Mary was an avid fan of the Mariners baseball team. She had a gift for caring for children and older adults, always bringing joy and comfort to those around her.
Mary was the matriarch of her family and her passing has left a void in the lives of many. Her legacy will continue to live on through the endless stories. There are so many good ones to tell from all the holiday get-togethers at her house, picnics at Greenlake, weddings, birthdays, and funerals. She taught endless Grandchildren how to play the infamous Frog Game and the silent game. Grandma had a unique trait of wearing multiple watches. She would wear three watches at a time, each set to a different time zone – Hawaii, Seattle, and Indiana. The family has been comforted by memories of her early role at St. Matthew’s Parish School and the neighborhood gathering of parents and their children at her home. Reflecting on Mary’s life, we take comfort in knowing she is now at peace and reunited with those who preceded her in death, especially her daughter, Jeanne and son, Jim. All who knew and loved her will deeply miss Mary’s gregarious spirit.
Thank you so very much for bringing her heart forward!! Shoot— I’m crying. I miss her so very much. Can’t get over all of this. I came home today and stopped… I have said, “Hi Mom!” For so many years.
M
Joe Hoffman
I’ll miss you always Mom, I love you.
Marian. Thank you for this tribute..
Thank you Mom. Always. I miss you everyday.. I know you are in heaven and are – with all of your passed loved ones. We celebrate you, everyday.. I miss you Mom. I love you, Marian. P.s. I got my hair cut today and thought of you the whole time I was in that chair – it was our deal. M-