Donna Bell

It is with great sorrow and love that we mourn the passing of Donna Mae Bell at age 83. Donna died peacefully at home in Westminster, Colorado on Friday, January 22, 2021. She was born June 13, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois to her loving parents Fred Irving Smith and Marie Josephine Janousek Smith. Donna attended Cornell College in Mt Vernon, Iowa where she majored in education and art. She enjoyed membership in the Kappa Theta sorority and met her future husband Gary Bell who also attended Cornell.

After graduating college, Donna and her loving husband Gary were married on August 2, 1958. They lived in several places including St. Louis, Missouri; Denver, Colorado; Billings, Montana; Bogotá, Columbia; Greenwich, Connecticut; and Westlake Village, California. Donna worked as an elementary education teacher in St. Louis, for Colegio Nueva Granada in Bogotá, Jefferson County Schools in Colorado; and Las Virgines Schools in California.

Donna was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and sister. She is survived by her husband Gary, daughter Dawn Solich, son Brook Bell (Diana); grandchildren Ryan Bell (Natasha), Tanner Bell (Jordan), Courtney Bell; Clayton Solich, and Cooper Solich. Donna is also survived by her sisters Carol Ashenbrener (Steve), Sharon Nichols (Randy), sister-in-law Sharon Petersen (Bill), and five nephews and nieces

Donna enjoyed cooking, baking, decorating, reading, playing slot machines, collecting antiques, and was a dedicated housewife. She loved animals and raising golden retrievers (Sean, Amber, another Sean, and Bear). Donna enjoyed playing golf in Columbia, California, and in the women’s league at The Ranch in Westminster and Copper Mountain. She also liked snow skiing with family and friends during her active years. Donna enjoyed travel to Jamaica, Mexico, Hawaii, Canada, England, and on cruises with Gary to the Mediterranean, Greek Islands, North Africa, Scandinavia, the Black Sea, and Russia.

Often times what comes along with life's joys and mysteries, are tears and sadness. Donna will be missed by those who knew her and were touched by her kindness.

In lieu of flowers, please pay forward gentleness and compassion to the Wounded Warriors Project or Denver Dumb Friends League in memory of Donna. We ask that you also please post a message on Donna’s “Tribute Wall”.