Margaret Elaine Bell

Margaret Elaine Bell passed away February 16, 2023 with her close, life-time friend, Sue Lubking, by her side. The cause of death appears to be complications from an earlier cancer diagnosis. Elaine was born in San Francisco on September 21, 1943, the first of four offspring of Captain Thomas H. Bell, USN and Marian Connell Bell, both deceased. 

Elaine is survived and mourned by her 3 siblings: Thomas Bell, Mary-Louise Rumble and Anne Marie Amantia as well as her sister-in-law Susan Gifford Bell and her two brothers-in-law: Richard Rumble and Frank Amanria. She is also mourned by her nephews: Dylan, David and Brendan, with his wife Justine; as well as her niece Shannon, with her husband Sean, and their children – Cedar and Willa Sage, as well as Sue’s three children and four grandchildren: Laurie, Heather, and her daughter Chelsea, and Doug with his wife Colleen and their daughters Morgan, Kelley and Kenzie. 

Elaine attended Archbishop Prendergast High School in Drexel Hill, PA and graduated high school from Bishop Dennis J. O’Connell in Arlington, VA. She received her BA in English Literature at Immaculata College and a Masters of Arts in English Literature from Bryn Mawr College. She spent her career at Harcum College as a professor of English Literature. 

Elaine was generous-hearted and loved by her family and friends. She was called “the rose of the neighborhood” by one. She loved horses, the beach, mystery books, opera, the Phillies, the 76-ers, the Eagles, and the beautiful backyard she shared with Sue. 

A memorial service will be held at a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, Elaine would be pleased to have donations sent to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.