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 Sr.
Fidelis Bell, OP
March 10, 1922 – October 14, 2003
I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I shall live.
Psalm 23
On Tuesday, October 14, Sr. Fidelis Bell died at Mohun Health Care Center.
She was born in Zanesville on March 10, 1922, to James A. and Mary (Gaab)
Bell. She attended St. Thomas Grade and High Schools in Zanesville. Sister
Fidelis entered the Novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of
the Springs in Columbus in 1939 and made her profession of vows in 1941.
Sister is survived by her sister-in-law Marilyn Bell of Dayton, OH, nieces
and nephews and a very good friend, Fr. Walter Heinz, of Pomeroy, OH.
Sr. Fidelis received her B.A. from St. Mary of the Springs College (now
Ohio Dominican University). She received her M.A. in Spanish from Duquesne
University. Her ministry began with teaching in the primary grades for
15 years. During that time she was stationed in the Columbus Diocese in
Lancaster (1942-45) and in Somerset (1955-57). She then moved to the secondary
level, including two years (1966-68) at Watterson High School. Sr. Fidelis
also taught in Steubenville, Pittsburgh, Wilmerding and Braddock and was
principal at Annunciation School in New York City (1976-78).
After five years of college teaching at Albertus Magnus College in New
Haven, Sister Fidelis prepared for her second career by attending Fordham
University to obtain her second Master's degree, this time in family ministry,
focusing on ministry with Hispanic families. That ministry took her to
Spanish Harlem, Puerto Rico, and to Santa Fe, NM.
In 1998, her health forced her to retire to Mohun Health Care Center,
but in the seven years prior to her retirement, she ministered at Sacred
Heart Parish in Pomeroy, OH. She held those seven years as among the happiest
and most fulfilling years of her long and fruitful life.
Memorial gifts in Sister Fidelis Bell's honor may
be sent to Dominican Sisters, St. Mary of the Springs, 2320 Airport Drive,
Columbus, OH 43219. |
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