Rev. Jeanne M. Bell

1930 - 2016

Reverend Jeanne Holly (Millett) Bell, 85, of Eden Trail and a resident of the Charlene Manor Extended Care Facility, Greenfield, passed peacefully on Friday morning, January 22, 2016, at the nursing facility following a period of declining health. She was born in Everett, December 9, 1930, to Robert N. and Leonora (Mann) Millett and was named Jeanne Hollyberry Millett in honor of the Advent Season. Holly received her education attending Keene Public Schools, graduating from Keene High School at the age of 16. She attended Smith College in Northampton, where she obtained her BA in 1951. It was there that she found her passion for the Unitarian Universalist church. She earned her MA in Religious Studies along with the Stevens-Gesner Project at the Hartford Seminary Foundation in 1973. This Stevens-Gesner Project was a special program of the Unitarian Universalist Associations to educate religious leaders without a theological school. Holly was the Director of Religious Education at the All Souls Church, Greenfield, from 1956-1970. She was ordained at All Souls Church after receiving her preliminary ministerial fellowship from the UUA in 1973 and where she built many lifelong friendships. In 1974 she became the minister of Unity Church in North Easton, retiring from her post in 1999 after 25 years of service. She joyously moved back to Bernardston to be closer to family, friends and old neighbors. She was very happy to reunite with her first beloved Unitarian Universalist Church, All Souls in Greenfield. Holly enjoyed many activities that included the outdoors, hiking, camping, canoeing, birdwatching and gardening. She spent many summers at Star Island and Rowe Camp which gave her a sense of purpose and spiritual refreshment. She was an avid reader and a dog lover. Throughout her life, Holly outwardly demonstrated her social conscience by advocating and protesting for fair and equitable treatment of all. She continued to find deep and profound connections to the natural and physical world and was comforted and supported thinking that at death she would ultimately go back to the universe from which she came. She is lovingly remembered by her children, Peter M. Bell and his wife Mary of Bernardston, Rebecca H. Becky Bell and her husband Edward Green of Castleton, N.Y., and Elizabeth M. Libby Kellard and her husband Robert of Danvers. Additionally she leaves her adoring grandchildren, Emily Bell Springett and her husband Doyle, Christopher H. Bell, Meghan E. Kellard and Alyssa M. Kellard. Holly was predeceased by her son, Marc A. Bell, as well as by her sister, Cheryl Herman. Several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews will remember her with great affection. She was the spouse of the late Hubert W. Bell and the late Gerald C. Bailey. In keeping with Hollys social consciousness and desire for simplicity, she will be cremated. A memorial service will be observed to celebrate her life at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Holly to the Unitarian Universalist Association, 24 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210 (giving.uua.org/friends). The McCarthy Funeral Homes of Greenfield and Turners Falls, have been entrusted with the arrangements. Guest book and condolence message available at www.mccarthyfuneralhomes.com.