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Barbara Ann Bell

1951 - 2018

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Obituary of Barbara Ann Bell

Barbara Ann Bell died in her partner’s daughter’s arms just after 11 pm Sunday, October 21.

A memorial service will be held on her 67th birthday, this Wednesday, October 24, 2018:

3:00 pm Viewing

3:30 pm Service at St Johns Episcopal Church, 4201 Sheridan Ave S Minneapolis,
Minnesota 55410.

5:00 pm Reception at the home of friend Jean Echternacht, 1814 W. 49th Street,
Minneapolis, MN 55419.

Barb had a hard-scrabble upbringing in a mad-men-style household with four brothers. She survived addictions, illnesses, and her family history with both grace and fear, but made damn sure she came out on top with integrity, honesty, and grit.

Barb met Kristi in 1982 and never looked back. They had 34 years together before Kristi died. Barb’s love did not die, however. Two years later, upon her own death, we had had 36 years together as family.

Barbie, as she was known to her Godsons Evan and Carson, loved them as her own. She was a doting Godmother from the start and took great pleasure in grand-duties well before and after Kristi’s long slide into dementia.

Our relationship as family grew tremendously through the joys and hardships we faced together over the last 20 years, through the upbringing of two fine boys (now 23 and 18), through the three different primary cancers she faced (breast, kidney, lung), and through her partner’s (my mother’s) 14-year decline into dementia and death. We will miss Barbie dearly, but are so thankful for her part in our lives, and for an end to her long-suffering.

Lung cancer is no good way to die. If you smoke, please stop. And please, also get yourself and your friends out to VOTE.

Your vote can save our planet, the very capacity to support life on earth, and our collective wellbeing as a civilized nation. Protect women, and children, protect autonomy and liberty, protect the rights of the individual—human rights— and animal rights.

Our culture’s status quo harbors so many unkindnesses and betrayals of anyone “different.” A lesbian girl growing up in America surely faced them, as Kristi and Barb did. They empathized with all who struggle under inequality.

Barb’s wishes are honored with every ballot cast for progress and inclusion. Bigotry, injustice, and selfishness are far from dead, but you CAN force them out of public office.

You honor Barb by VOTING BLUE— and getting your friends to vote blue too.

Wednesday

October