Vera Bell MASA

MASA, Vera Bell 89, died peacefully in Wheat Ridge, CO on January 19, 2018. She was born in Ryman near Prague, Czechoslovakia on December 8, 1928, where she worked as a seamstress. In 1947 she married SSgt Jerry G. Cooksy. They were stationed in Germany where her two oldest children Clifford and Barbara were born. They were divorced in 1951 and Vera met and married C. Gail Smith at Ft. Lewis, WA. Their daughter Patricia was born in Sumter, SC in 1952 and a son Richard was born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1953. They moved to Tucson in 1954 and another daughter Deborah was born. After divorcing Smith, Vera married Rueben Bell in 1959. Their son Tony was born in 1960. Vera worked as an instructor at Fred Murray Dance Studio, for the Tucson School District and at Home Federal Bank as a loaner officer. She spoke five languages, was an avid reader, an excellent cook and enjoyed parties and playing scrabble. She loved people having a wide circle of diverse friends. She was an active member of the Czech/Slovak Club serving as President for two terms. Vera loved to laugh, eat ice cream and go to movies. In 1993 she met the true love of her life, George Masa, also a Czech. They married in 1995. They enjoyed cruises, traveling to Prague, dancing and each other. George died in 2001 leaving Vera broken hearted. While her life was often filled with sorrow Vera was a survivor. She continued to be active and social, enjoying time with friends, family and hosting company at "Vera's B and B". She especially enjoyed monthly get togethers with her Saguaro High School work buddies, Tucson Federal colleagues and the grief group she had joined. Vera loved Tucson but health issues necessitated a move to live with her daughter in Brighton, Colorado. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara (Tim) Barbour; and son, Tony (Denise) Bell. Grandchildren, Brandon (Chrissy) Cooksy, Michael (Beth) Barbour, Jennifer Barbour, Laura Covert (Noe Gonzalez), Teresa Covert, Steven Fields and Morgan Bell; nine great-grandchildren; and many friends. She was predeceased by her daughters, Patricia Smith Covert and Deborah Smith and sons, Clifford Cooksy and Richard Smith. Please join us as we celebrate Vera's life at a Memorial service to be held at Abounding Grace Lutheran Church, 2450 S. Kolb Rd. Tucson on Friday, February 9, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Reveille Men's Chorus, P.O. Box 43633, Tucson, AZ 85733 or at Reveillemenschorus.org