Janet Bell Obituary

Janet Bell, 80 years old and resident of New Orleans, LA, born March 16, 1936, passed away due to heart failure on August 31, 2016. Janet was born to Joseph and Mattie Mae Bell and is survived by her favorite (and only) nieces and nephew: Joseph Bell, Melanie Bell & Pamela Bell. Janet was a member of the Ladies Day Fund, Inc. of New Orleans. Janet worked as a Delta Flight Attendant (insisted she was not a "stewardess") for 41+ years. She retired in 2003. Janet rarely missed a music festival, good party or delicious Revellion if she could help it. Though small in stature, her impact was huge! She will be remembered for ... her very dry sense of humor, her sharp wit and her fabulous Mardi Gras costumes. Janet was definitely a legend in her own time! Her memorial service will be held later this fall.

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Published by The New Orleans Advocate from Sep. 7 to Sep. 8, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Janet Bell

9 Entries

Diane Ferguson

September 19, 2016

I met Janet Bell through JoAnn Rosen (Godfrey) when they both were serving on the Board of LA Breast Cancer Task Force. It was the early 1990s and we all had been diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a time that "cancer" and "breast" were forbidden words. I joined the LBCTF Board and we worked indefatigably to make those words an early warning, not just dirty words. Awareness and early detection became our mantra. As a long time member of the LBCTF Executive Board, it was a mixed blessing working with Janet...always quirky but always dedicated. Janet and I remained friends for many years. She was a unique person with a big heart that she tried to deny.For example, after Katrina when I thought my home would be finally ready in 2 weeks, Janet invited me to stay at her home. When the 2 weeks turned into 4 months, she was a gracious hostess and Oscar (Janet) and Felix (me) survived.
Janet and her outrageous sense of humor and friendship will be missed!

Dick Gardner

September 9, 2016

I have a good memory of Janet from when i was a new guy in 1965. Like it or not she was a "stewardess", proudly I might add, back when Delta was a smaller carrier run by real airline people. Glad I knew and worked with her on the Convair 880.

Patti Dowie

September 9, 2016

Such a special lady! Many fond memories flying with this senior mama! Loved her dry wit and zest for life!

Janet Dugas Reed

September 9, 2016

What a character! I have so many fond memories of Janet a beautiful person in and out. RIP my friend.She never wanted to call me by Reed just my maiden name!

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Cornelia England

September 8, 2016

She truly was the epitome of a Steel Magnolia and a little YaYa Sisterhood thrown in! They only made one...and my life is forever blessed because Janet Bell was in it! No doubt God welcomed her with...."Well done my good and faithful servant"

Ralph Draughon, Jr

September 8, 2016

As college classmates, and occasionally "clash-mates" , Janet and I shared some blissfully silly moments in an acquaintance that I now remember fondly from long ago!

Pam Waguespack

September 8, 2016

Such a special person. So enjoyed working with Janet over the years.

Karen Ise

September 8, 2016

Karen Ise

September 7, 2016

I often think of Janet with great fondness. She visited my children and I throughout the years (mostly 1990's-2005 or so) here in Southern California along with my brother, Vic, who was her companion during those years. She was a funny lady, quirky but classy. She had a wonderful palette for good food and good wine. I loved to cook for them when they came to visit. Here in California we attended events like the Rose Bowl Parade, where we got up at 4:00 a.m. to get a decent piece of the sidewalk to watch the parade. Another year we attended the Jan 2 Rose Bowl float viewing where Janet stated her doubt that every inch of the floats were covered with plants, flowers or seeds - she was curtly corrected by one of the proud docents who overheard her ! We traveled to museums and other sights around Southern California. When I would visit New Orleans, we attended Jazz Fest, Mardi Gras, the Tennessee Williams festival, and various other wonderful events in N.O. over the years. We also traveled to Lafayette to visit family who all loved her, too. My children also visited Janet in N.O. when they traveled there. I wish that she and I were able to continue our friendship over the years. I truly loved her. I know she will be sorely missed by those who knew her.

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