Dorothy Bell

Dorothy Leslie Bell (aka Doof)

Our beloved mother left her earthly journey on Friday, December 12, 2014 at the age of 86. Just as she managed her own life, once she made up her mind that she had enough on this earth, she assumed control, said goodbye and took her bridge skills to heaven.
She lived an amazing and blessed life filled with family, friends and wonderful times. Right up to the very end, she embraced the joys of fond memories and laughter, especially those with her mother, fondly known as Great Grams to all. The two are now finally reunited.
Dorothy was the matriarch of a family that spans generations. She spent her life teaching, supporting and loving all of us. Under her influence and words of encouragement, the ties and behaviors of her family are truly special. Sometimes her guidance was tough to accept though in looking back, we wish we could feel those emotions again.
She is survived by four sons, Tom, Michael, Randy and Mark and two stepdaughters, Brenda and Sheri (the daughters she'd always wanted). Their spouses Noni, Jeanne, Christine, Julie, Martin and John will forever miss her. Her 14 grandchildren – Mesha, Rayme, Meghan, Natasha, Ian, Andrew, Kevin, Ali, Erica, Hannah, Christopher, Ellen, Tina and Michael and 7 great-grandchildren, Damien, Sierra, Makala, Miliani, Makena, Amelia and Elliott, will all remember her with great fondness. Yep, 33 family members walk this earth today having experienced life with Dorothy. What a gift!
She was born in Alameda, raised in Orinda, attended Acalanes High School (6th graduating class), was a Beaver at Oregon State University and a member of the Alpha Kappa Theta Sorority (now pledging Heavens' chapter). She obtained a teaching degree (as a single mom) from California State University, East Bay and enjoyed education for years. After being a single parent to four boys during interesting times, all with unique perspectives on right and wrong, she learned to handle the tough challenges.
Dorothy lived a full life being an only child raised by amazing parents, Margaret and Thomas Goodrick. However, the best years were when she met her soul mate Howard W. Bell. They were married in 1976 and spent the next 10 years traveling and discovering life together. He was the only person that could tell her what to do and got away with it. She never stopped loving Howard.
Dorothy cherished the home they built together at Sea Ranch. She spent much of her life sitting on the window seats, doing what she loved, reading books, watching the ocean roll by and being warmed by a fire (she was always cold). She said, "this is where I feel the presence of Howard". Many great family gatherings and memories are strongly associated with Sea Ranch. All would agree with her the only regret was that she wasn't able to spend one more weekend at 'The Sea Ranch".
She was forever teaching, often through the objections of the persons being taught. She gave back tirelessly to helping prisoners in the California Correctional System (appointed by the Governor) and supported several scholarship programs. She remained a die-hard Oakland Raider fan to the very end, even though they haven't been to a playoff game since 2002! So much a fan was she that her first gift from Howard (besides her wedding ring) was a silver and black Camaro.
She also taught us to be adventurous and to explore new things, both convictions she herself lived by. How many single mothers would take their precious vacation time to drive a camper truck to Alaska with her youngest son listening to Grateful Dead songs and doing what they do? Not many…
Her greatest gift was one of forgiveness as it takes a remarkable person to forgive all she encountered from raising her family. She had a giving heart and graceful soul. She gave without expectations. During her final 6 months, she was the definitive teacher, teaching us to let go of what doesn't matter, pursue memories that do and keep the family at the forefront of all our missions.
She will be forever missed as a mother, friend, grandmother and great-grandmother. Since Dorothy is with us today she wants to thank you all for your love, friendship and bridge games. She has directed the family (always in control) to celebrate her life and we are going to do just that.
Her memorial celebration will be held at 11am on Monday, January 12 at the St. Stephen's Episcopal Church located at 66 Saint Stephens Dr. in Orinda. Any gifts in her honor should be made to a scholarship fund that will be set up prior to her memorial celebration. Our loving Doof is not dead, she has eternal life and wearing black to her celebration will earn a ticket to the back row.
Her loving family