It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Debbie on June 17, 2020. She passed away peacefully at St. Boniface Hospital with her loving husband Charlie at her side. Debbie was predeceased by her parents, David and Yvonne Bell and her brother Kenneth (Kenny) Bell. She is survived by her husband, Charlie, her children Michael (Erica), Meghan (Chris), her brother Darrell (Coral), grandchildren, Lena and Nicholas and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Debbie was born January 7, 1952, in Winnipeg.
She attended the University of Manitoba – Faculty of Education and started her teaching career in The Pas, Manitoba teaching grades 2 – 4 where she met the love of her life Charlie.
It was a short six month courtship and Charlie and Debbie were married on July 16, 1977 at John Black United Church, in Winnipeg where they had a minister as well as a catholic priest officiate the ceremony. Shortly after they were married, Charlie and Debbie had many travelling adventures backpacking and taking the Eurail pass through Europe.
Her son, Michael David was born on March 22, 1979 with her daughter, Meghan Yvonne to follow on October 10, 1982.
In 1989 the family moved to Australia where Debbie and Charlie were on a teacher’s exchange for 2 years. Debbie expressed that this was the most valuable experience of her life. She learned about Australia, Canada, and teaching but most importantly about herself. She said it was the most difficult and rewarding time of her life.
The family returned to Winnipeg in 1990 where she continued her teaching career in the River East School Division. She loved to teach, especially teaching the special needs children.
Debbie and Charlie travelled with family and friends to many destinations, Europe, Australia, Hawaii, Mexico, Africa, Japan as well as many states in the US. They have many memories and the amazing people that they met along the way are life long friends.
Debbie was passionate about singing and in 1999 she joined the Sisters of the Holy Rock where she could sing and perform. To quote Debbie it was “one of the most incredible experiences of her life”. She was performing in a “moving” choir. An extremely caring group of people doing what we love and raising money for charity. The people and music helped her through the rough times and made the good times even better. Charlie and Meghan also sang with the Sisters.
Pelican Lake was one of Debbie’s favorite places. Memories of times spent with her parents, her family, her brother Darrell, nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends were found here at the lake. Debbie loved to waterski and swim at the lake as well as host dinners, play cards, bon fires and taking walks up the “hill” with family and friends.
Debbie’s love of family was ever present and when she became a grandmother to Lena and Nicholas she was overjoyed.
We wish to give special thanks to the Cancer Care, Homecare, and St. Boniface Hospital Palliative Care Unit Staff. Any donations in Debbie’s name can be made to Cancer Care.
A Celebration of Debbie’s life will take place at a later date.
“Those we love don’t go away;
they walk beside us every day.
Unseen, unheard but always near, still
loved, still missed, and held so dear.”
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Debbie Siegel Bell Wednesday June 17th 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Oakbank, Province: Manitoba