LANCASTER - Mi Hwa Bell left this world quietly in her sleep at home, with her loving husband by her side, March 17, following a yearlong battle with cancer
Born July 17
th
, 1948 in South Korea she was separated from her family at an early age. The Korean War brought many challenges to her life, however, it was during this time she met her lifelong partner and husband Charles M. Bell. Charles was serving a tour of duty in the US Army and they were soon engaged, which would be immediately followed by an exchange of nuptials on June 23, 1971 in Fort Devens, MA.
Following the assignment at Fort Devens, Mi Hwa accompanied her husband on tours to Germany and Ft. Belvoir, VA where their lovely daughter Elisa came into their lives and where she was granted her US Citizenship before they all traveled to Italy, Ft. Hood, TX and a final assignment at Stewart Field in Newburg, NY in 1986.
Charles served 21.5 years in the Army and upon retiring he and Mi Hwa chose to permanently relocate to NH. At this time Mi Hwa became the warm face that would greet you at SN Evans Market on Main Street. The face that would carry on the family tradition of making homemade donuts (among other fabulous treats) at 4AM; the face that would go out of her way to help in any way that she could; the face that you could count on to be your best friend behind the counter whether you were an adult or child, your best friend as a coworker, your best friend as a wife, and your best friend as a mother. She was truly a best friend in so many facets.
Always one to enjoy working, Mi Hwa then worked at Brown Street furniture in Whitefield, NH for 10 years prior to retiring to spend time with her family and enjoying her garden and flowerbeds. Neighbors may also recall seeing her speed walking on her frequent 5-10 mile walks.
A happy and outgoing person, she was respected and loved by all who entered her life. She was a wife and mother of great humility and iron will.
Mi Hwa is survived by her loving husband Charles, daughter Elisa, grandchildren Britney, Ethan, Kylie and Kendall; two sisters-in law, Susan Tibbetts and Rosemary Pettingill, an aunt Betty Newell, cousins, many friends, and nieces and nephews.
Memorial visiting hours will be held Tuesday afternoon and evening March 22, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00PM at Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday morning at 11:00 AM at All Saints Church, Lancaster. Rev. Matthew Mason, pastor, will officiate.
Burial will be in John's River Cemetery and will be held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to CHaD,
D-HH/Geisel Office of Development,
One Medical Center Drive, HB 7070
,
Lebanon, NH 03756-0001