Bella McKenzie

1936 - 2022

Bella McKenzie



Bella Verdella

McKenzie was born on a farm in McCluskey, North Dakota on November 17,

1936. As the ninth of her siblings, middle name creativity had declined and resorted to rhyming. Her father died when she was young, leaving her mother to raise all 11 kids on her own. This experience deeply influenced Bella, who said that her mother could not have done so without a strong community of friends. Bella moved to Fargo in 8th grade and spent the remainder of her adolescence there. After she graduated high school, she worked at a Buick dealership near home to help out the family. When her husband Jack got a job working in Alamogordo, they packed their bags for New Mexico, eventually settling in Albuquerque a few years later. Over her career, Bella worked as an administrator at several schools in the Albuquerque area. She eventually retired at 78, waiting so long to do so because she loved her work and adored her colleagues.

Bella took care of many people over the course of her life. She loved people unconditionally, listened deeply, and made everyone feel accepted and at home. Bella lived a full and vibrant life despite leaving us too soon. She was always reading, quilting, or spending time with friends and family. She was kind, trusting, opinionated, strong, and curious about everything and everyone; this inspired her to soak up every experience or story either from life or literature. Any place with Bella felt comfortable and warm to all who were lucky enough to be in her presence. She will be dearly missed.

Bella was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jack, son Tom, brothers Herb, Art, Dale, and Frank, and sisters Gertie, Lindy, and Alice. She is survived by her son Bill, sister Mary Lou, brothers Ed and Alan, granddaughters Alexis and Miranda, grandson Connor, and a whole community of people who are blessed to have been a part of her life.

A memorial service will be held on September 10 at 1 pm in the La Mesa Presbyterian Churchâ€"a place of worship Bella loved deeply and felt reflected her firmly held belief that all are deserving of dignity and respect.