Michael Bell (Mike 49)

Mike49
Mike49 Member Posts: 261
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Michael Lawrence Bell, 50

Michael Lawrence Bell died on January 18, 2010, at his home in Gilbert, AZ, following a courageous battle with colon cancer.

Mike was born September 10, 1959 in Phoenix, AZ to Alan and Imogene Bell. He served in the United States Army from 1976 to 1979 and was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. He received a Master of Health Service Administration from Arizona State University in 1989. Mike was employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs for more than twenty years in various health care administration roles.

Mike married the love of his life, the former Jennifer Walker, of Big Spring, TX, on February 29th 2008. In June 2008 he became a father when he adopted Jennifer’s sons. Mike loved being a father and was very active in his children’s lives throughout his lengthy illness. He would often receive chemotherapy and attend one of his children’s many extracurricular activities the same day. Mike treasured his time with his children and believed that fatherhood was his greatest achievement. Uncle Mike loved his nieces and nephews and took great pride in all their accomplishments.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents.

Mike is survived by his wife Jennifer Bell and sons Patrick Bell, Timothy Bell and stepdaughter Addison Elliott all of Gilbert, AZ; sisters, Alana Bell-Dittrich and her husband Richard Dittrich of Gilbert, AZ, Laela Quinn and her husband Gary of Carrolton, TX, Jean Agan and her husband Floyd of Cave Creek, AZ, ; father-in-law Wayne Walker of Big Spring, TX, mother-in-law Sharon Wadley of Childress, TX; nieces, Jorji Coleman of Gilbert, AZ , Irene Owen of Seattle, WA, Crystal Veiock of Henderson, NV; nephews, Dr. Charles Quinn of Dallas, TX and Jason Massey, U.S. Navy Seal of Virginia and loving extended family and friends.

Interment will be Friday January 29th at 2:00 p.m. at the VA National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix, AZ. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of the Valley or the American Cancer Society. The family would like to thank Dr. Rami Sarid for the compassionate and professional care that he provided throughout Mike’s illness. The family would also like to thank the caring staff of Hospice of the Valley.
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Comments

  • pf78248
    pf78248 Member Posts: 209
    so very sorry for your loss
    Mike was such a wonderful treasure both in his personal life and on this board. I am very sad to learn of his passing. May you, Jennifer, and your children find comfort in knowing that he was so gracious and positive throughout his struggle. May God bless you and hold you in the comfort of his hands during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your precious family.

    Priscilla in San Antonio
  • lizzydavis
    lizzydavis Member Posts: 893
    I am so sorry.
    I am so sorry. My heart goes out to you and your family.
    I hope this prayer I am sending you will bring you some comfort as it has for me.

    -
    Heavenly Father, we pray Thee to console those who are mourning the loss of dear ones. Help us to understand that the dead are not dead as long as their memories inspire us, the living, to acts of kindness, charity and love. The departed are not gone as long as their achievements urge us on to better living and finer thinking. May our faith in Thee, O Lord our God, never falter, even when we walk in the valley of the shadow of death. Enable us to find blessings even in sorrow. Guide us to use our time and opportunities wisely and nobly. Grant that our grief teach us to be more helpful and friendly to others. As we recall our dear ones, let us reaffirm our trust in Thee, O God. Thou art the source of Life. Thou art with us in sorrow as well as joy. Thou art our strength and comfort! Amen.
  • Mike49
    Mike49 Member Posts: 261
    pf78248 said:

    so very sorry for your loss
    Mike was such a wonderful treasure both in his personal life and on this board. I am very sad to learn of his passing. May you, Jennifer, and your children find comfort in knowing that he was so gracious and positive throughout his struggle. May God bless you and hold you in the comfort of his hands during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your precious family.

    Priscilla in San Antonio

    Mike
    Thank very much.
  • Mike49
    Mike49 Member Posts: 261

    I am so sorry.
    I am so sorry. My heart goes out to you and your family.
    I hope this prayer I am sending you will bring you some comfort as it has for me.

    -
    Heavenly Father, we pray Thee to console those who are mourning the loss of dear ones. Help us to understand that the dead are not dead as long as their memories inspire us, the living, to acts of kindness, charity and love. The departed are not gone as long as their achievements urge us on to better living and finer thinking. May our faith in Thee, O Lord our God, never falter, even when we walk in the valley of the shadow of death. Enable us to find blessings even in sorrow. Guide us to use our time and opportunities wisely and nobly. Grant that our grief teach us to be more helpful and friendly to others. As we recall our dear ones, let us reaffirm our trust in Thee, O God. Thou art the source of Life. Thou art with us in sorrow as well as joy. Thou art our strength and comfort! Amen.

    Wow
    What a wonderful and inspiring prayer. Thank you, I really appreciate it.
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    I'm wrapping my arms around you....
    and I share words that comforted me:

    He has not gone, just moved, from in front of our eyes, into our hearts, where he will live on forever. To make room, he took a piece of our hearts with him.

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    Jennifer
    Dear Jennifer,
    I am so very, very sorry to hear of Mike's passing. He was a real source of encouragement to me during the past year. Mike was full of love, good advice and he was very good at sharing. I know how much he loved you and your kids. You meant everything to him. I will continue to pray for you. I will miss Mike. I know you will miss him so very much.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen
  • fedester
    fedester Member Posts: 753 Member
    so sorry
    i am so sorry for your loss.
    god bless you and your family
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    Mike
    A wonderful man who will be missed by many...
    -phil
  • Nicksangels
    Nicksangels Member Posts: 41
    So sorry for your loss.. My
    So sorry for your loss.. My Blessings to you all.
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    I'm so sorry
    Please accept our sincere sympathy at the loss of Mike. He will be greatly missed by his family here on the board. May you and your family find peace at this most difficult time. Sincerely George and Tina in Livonia, Michigan.
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    Jenny and family
    Mike was diagnosed just a few months before me and was quick to befriend me when I joined the forum. He quickly became a dear friend. My heart is saddened at this loss but I am so happy God allowed me to know Mike, if even from a distance and only for a short time.

    M prayers will be with you and the children during this time of heartbreak.

    Diane Tavegia
  • sfmarie
    sfmarie Member Posts: 602
    Mike
    Was an inspiration to me when I first joined this board, he immediately replied to my post, gave me hope and words of encouragement and sympathy. He has inspired so many here, and I will miss his posts! This is just heartbreaking, and I pray for comfort and peace for your family during this difficult time. Blessings, Marie
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    sfmarie said:

    Mike
    Was an inspiration to me when I first joined this board, he immediately replied to my post, gave me hope and words of encouragement and sympathy. He has inspired so many here, and I will miss his posts! This is just heartbreaking, and I pray for comfort and peace for your family during this difficult time. Blessings, Marie

    Jennifer
    Jennifer I am so very sorry for the loss of Mike. His outstanding sense of good will always shone through. I will miss him a great deal.

    All the very best to you and your family at this difficult time.

    Maggie
  • claud1951
    claud1951 Member Posts: 424 Member
    My thoughts are with you and
    My thoughts are with you and your family.

    Hugs to all of you

    Claudia
  • impactzone
    impactzone Member Posts: 551 Member
    I'm am so sorry. I wish you
    I'm am so sorry. I wish you courage and peace as words are hard to come by.
    respectfully
    Chip
  • thready
    thready Member Posts: 474
    So sorry
    Just want you to know that we are holding your family closen in prayer. We are so sorry to hear for Mike's passing.
    Jan
  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    I am so sorry Jenny.

    I am so sorry Jenny.
  • Fb489
    Fb489 Member Posts: 69
    Take care
    May god give you and the children strength to go forward during this difficult time.
    Take it one day at a time, and keep in touch.
  • kimby
    kimby Member Posts: 797
    Mike
    I'm so sorry for you and your family in this tremendous loss. Mike will be missed on this board but he lives in your heart. We are all better for knowing him. I wish you peace and joy in the future. Although that seems impossible now, Mike will lead you to it.

    Kimby
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    Jenny,
    Please accept my

    Jenny,

    Please accept my condolences to you & your family for your loss. I am thinking about you. Although I just joined the board in Oct/09 I enjoyed Mike's posts and the picture of your family always brought a smile to my face. Thanks for sharing the notice of his passing with us. Please take good care of yourself.