Deirdre Dee Pilgrim DeStefano Bell

Deirdre "Dee" Pilgrim was born in Poplar Bluff, MO June 27th 1932, she was a preemie (premature birth) so tiny that the entire town turned out to see her! She grew up as a typical girl in a small town before the family moved to Springfield. There she graduated from Central High School with top honors & was awarded the last granted Lifetime College Scholarship. Mrs. Bell was employed with the Missouri Court of Appeals – Southern District, a 7-Judge Court, for a total of 23 years (DeStefano/Bell). She was a Private Legal Secretary to Judges Rex B. Titus for 18 years until his death, then and Almon H. Maus to her retirement. Mrs. Bell then worked for other law offices for four years as a legal secretary before 'officially' retiring. During that time she assisted Judge Maus with his publications of a 3-Volume Text on Missouri Probate Law and Practice, and later, A Treatise on Insurance Law, among other topics. These were paid time for assistance, input, research and proofreading. Mrs. Bell is a Life-long member of Zion Primitive Baptist Church and brought her children up there. (The family helped build Zion)
She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilma "Pat" and Charles "Slim" Pilgrim, her first husband, Johnny Leonard DeStefano, her second husband, Joseph David Bell, and a brother, Danny Edwin Pilgrim.
Survivors include a daughter, Susan M. Pennell; Son, Michael J. DeStefano and his wife, Marla. Three step-daughters, Pamela Kooser and her husband Dick; Sherry Hernandez and husband Andrew; Joetta Engel & husband Fred. Several grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind too many friends to count, in and outside of church. She loved each and every one of them. For several years of her
life she lived with her son Michael & his wife Marla. She visited Zion on several occasions but attended Lifepoint Church, just 3 minutes away from home with her son and his wife. There she made new friends and continued to grow Spiritually. She will be sorely missed by Lifepoint. Dee passed quietly in her sleep at home with family present.

Dee, as everyone knew her, was on the Board of Directors with the Friends of the Library group, Springfield MO Library, for many many years as a supporter and worker. She loved books! The FoL group held a surprise 80th AND 90th Birthday party for Dee, of which she was forever grateful. Dee was also a member of the Model T Ford Club - Heart of the Ozarks Chapter with her husband Joe. Many friends were made and a lot of trips and tours to places all over the USA were logged. Dee and Joe also enjoyed square dancing and spending time with family. Dee respected all of the Judges, the Appellate Court Attorneys and associates especially her best friend Lenyce Rogers (Chief Fiscal Court Officer), along with Louise Acox (Judge Flanigan's Legal Secretary), Beverly Heist (the Court's Law Librarian), Margret Schlachter (Assistant Research Attorney) and others. Dee always said she couldn't have made it as a Legal Secretary without her group of friends.

Funeral Service will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, December 15, 2025 at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.