BOMBER MEMORIAL

LAUREL LEE MERKLEY BELL ~ Class of 1951
March 15, 1933 - June 23, 2013

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Laurel Lee Merkley Bell died Sunday, June 23, 2013 in peace and grace surrounded by her loving daughters at her home. She was born in Heber City, UT in 1933 to Lee and Reva Merkley and came to the Tri-Cities in the mid-1940s. She graduated from Columbia High School in 1951 and married Gerald Richard Bell. In 1956, she and Gerald (Jerry) settled in Pasco with their young family, which grew to include her two sons, three daughters, thirteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Together Laurel and Jerry opened the Spudnut Shop in Pasco, where many will recall seeing the entire family throughout the years working together. It was a true family business that Laurel made extra special with her characteristic broad smile and gift for making others feel welcome.

Making everyone feel welcome and accepted is one of the qualities that her children, grandchildren, and friends will remember most about Laurel. Laurel always loved unconditionally. She was a great listener who was never quick to judge anyone and always treated others with kind graciousness and respect.

Over the years, Laurel maintained ties with her cherished friends, despite time and distance. She took trips with her high school girlfriends, enjoyed reunions with the Richland-Columbia High "Club 40", and especially loved family get-togethers at "the beach" in Ocean Park.

After she and Jerry divorced, Laurel was an employee at Columbia Basin College. She and her companion Bob Waters had many great times together watching the Mariners, traveling, and enjoying summers by the pool until his death in 2005.

Her calm and quiet demeanor carried great humor and a dry wit, and the image of Laurel with a cup of coffee and the daily newspaper crossword puzzle will be long remembered with loving fondness. Her children and grandchildren will forever remember her for her warmth, love and acceptance, and "always open" home.

Laurel is preceded in death by her parents, her former husband Jerry Bell, her stepdaughter Jerry Lynn Bell McCalligan, and her lifelong best friend Pat Madaia ('51).

She is survived by her children Steve Bell, Lee Bell, Toni Bell Fitting, Lisa Bell Olivas, and Patti Bell Braimes, and her stepsons Mark Bell and Ron Bell.

Internment services will be held July 20th at 10am at Desert Lawn Memorial Park, 1401 S. Union St. Kennewick.

In lieu of flowers, please consider joining the family in expressing their appreciation to the kindness and support of the caregivers at Hospice and Home Health Care Solutions.