Georgia E. Bell, 86, a 38-year resident of Coupeville, peacefully went to be at rest with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 9, 2007, after a short illness.

Georgia was born on July 20, 1920, at Navilleton, Ind., to John and Rose Ellenbrand. Growing up in Navilleton and New Albany, Ind., she had one brother, Nick, and an extended family that included 78 cousins.

Following high school, she graduated from New Albany Business College. After her first job as a legal secretary in New Albany, during World War II she ventured, along with two girlfriends, to the far north. After traveling on a cattleship from Seattle to Kodiak, Alaska (taking along the formal wear her mother packed for her), she went to work in the federal civil service at the Kodiak Navy base. There she met and married Navy Chief Petty Officer Herbert E. Bell. They wed on November 9, 1947, a few days before he was discharged from the Navy. Georgia and Herb had two children, Pamela in 1948 and Dennis in 1951. They remained in Kodiak for most of the next 20 years living an adventurous life (Georgia supporting Herb’s fishing, crabbing and hunting trips) while off-duty from both working in their federal civil service jobs. They had brief stints living in Oxnard, Calif., and Colorado Springs, Colo., before they moved to Coupeville in 1969.

Georgia was a life-long devoted Christian and a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Coupeville since 1969 as well as being a member of the Altar Society. Among other things, every year she contributed the Easter lilies that adorned the church. She was known by one and all to be a thoughtful, sensitive, generous, kind and loving person.

Georgia is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Herbert Bell, of the family home; daughter Pamela Jamieson (husband David) of Oak Harbor; son Dennis Bell (wife Sharon) of Belfair; grandchildren Shawn Rockwell (wife Melody) of Stanwood, Sheldon Rockwell (wife Tina) of Oak Harbor, Heather Fredrickson (husband Curtis) of Bremerton, Mark Bell (wife Robin) of Shoreline and Adam Nekuda (wife Vanessa) of Camano Island; and seven great-grandchildren, Joshua, Caleb, Hannah and Rebekah Fredrickson, Maria and Kyle Rockwell and Kyla Nekuda.

A Memorial Rosary Service will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Coupeville on Friday, June 15, at 7 p.m. A Memorial Mass celebrating Georgia’s life will be held at St. Mary’s on Saturday, June 16, at 11 a.m. followed by a reception at the church. The services will be officiated by Rev. John Malo, CSB, a longtime family friend, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Private Family Graveside Services will be held at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Oak Harbor.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel in Oak Harbor.