By Nicole Hamilton
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Mrs. Bell

Linda A. Bell had a way of knowing where her help was needed most. An energetic volunteer and devoted mother, she turned her life experiences - both good and bad - into opportunities to make a difference.

Mrs. Bell died Tuesday at Hospice of Cincinnati in Blue Ash after a long battle with breast cancer. The longtime Milford resident - who recently moved to Mason - was 55.

"Linda was a warm, people-loving type of person who could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. She was very giving, and always thought of others' needs before her own," said her husband, Tom Bell of Mason. "If you knew her for five minutes you liked her."

Born and raised in northern Dayton, she graduated from Northmont High School in 1966. She married Tom Bell, whom she met in high school, in 1967.

The two lived in Italy for two years while he served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War.

They moved to the west side of Cincinnati in 1972. A year later they moved to Mason and eventually settled in Milford.

Throughout the moves, Mrs. Bell stayed active in the lives of her three children.

In Mason, she worked as the school librarian at Western Row Elementary for the three years her daughter, Angie, attended. She also volunteered regularly at their other schools; helped with Girl Scouts; coached volleyball and cheerleading; and was the homeroom mother coordinator at St. Gertrude School in Madeira.

For about 12 years she was a regular lector at St. Gertrude Church. And when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she began heading a church support group for cancer patients.

About ten years ago Mrs. Bell started her own business, Linda's Faux Finishing - where she painted clients walls using creative painting techniques to achieve different textures.

She also enjoyed passing time at the family vacation home on Norris Lake in Tennessee, where she liked to go boating, water ski, and play golf.

Besides her husband, survivors include a son, Christopher of Loveland; two daughters, Angela of Landen and Abby of Mason; a brother, John of Groveland, Calif.; a sister, Catherine of Athens, Ga.; and three grandchildren.

Services have been held. Her body was cremated.

Memorials: Hospice of Cincinnati, 4310 Cooper Road, Blue Ash, 45242.

E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com