MARIA (MARY) INEZ BELL
Tue, 2014-03-25 19:33
News Staff
On October 27, 2013, the Lord embraced Maria (Mary) Inez Leal Bell. Her love leaves an imprint in our hearts and our lives have been enriched by her gift of giving. She fought her battle of cancer with dignity and strength. She let go with grace when she could no longer fight. She was a beautiful person and was generous with her devotion to her family and friends. Maria was born in San Juan, Texas on April 20, 1939 to Luz and Maria Leal. She attended Vida Clover School in San Juan and graduated from St. Margaret’s Academy School in Pharr, Texas. She worked at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan before moving to El Centro, California in 1962 with her sister, Angelica. In El Centro she worked at the town shop and McCoy’s Office Supply. She met and married Heywood Bell in 1965. hey moved to Hawaii where she attended Hawaii Business College receiving her A.A. Degree in Accounting. While attending college she worked for Lybrand, Ross Brothers and Montgomery Accounting. She returned to El Centro in 1969 where she worked as a payroll clerk for Imperial Valley County Hospital for a year. She was hired as a payroll clerk for Imperial Valley College for 41 years. She owned Valle Arte and Crafts before it closed. In her retirement, she devoted her time teaching Catechism at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in El Centro. Maria was preceded in death by her parents, Luz and Maria Leal, and is survived by her husband of 48 years, Heywood Bell, and numerous brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. Services were held in El Centro at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church with internment at Evergreen Cemetery.