Nancy L. Bell

December 7, 1933 - July 8, 2023

An original ring-a-ding-ding lady, Nancy Lou Dishner was born December 7, 1933, in Bristol, Tennessee to Musetta Sally and William G. Dishner. She attended the Academy of the Holy Family in Connecticut and carried much of that incredible education with her throughout her life.

A lifelong interior decorator, with an eye for beauty and a flair for fancy, Nancy was known to throw incredible parties, from intimate family gatherings to country club galas. She was always the best dressed and well-mannered lady in the room, and once signaled the end of a black-tie affair by walking into the swimming pool, cocktail in hand.

Well versed in etiquette, she shared that knowledge with all the generations of her family, often throwing lavish tea parties for her granddaughters and great-granddaughters where formal dress (of all her mother’s nicest clothes and jewelry) was required. She was known to say, “Remember who you are.” and believed that manners were the key to success.

Nancy was an enigmatic, delightfully complex woman with a smile that could light up any room. She never failed to make those around her feel as if they were the most wonderfully interesting and talented people she’d ever encountered.

In 1994, Nancy proudly founded The Lighthouse Beacon, a shelter and resource center for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Baldwin and surrounding counties in Alabama. She served on the board of The Lighthouse for many years thereafter and was a member of the Red Hat Society.

She was the loving and devoted wife to John Bell, whom she married December 30, 1976, spending their 47 years of marriage as eternal lovebirds, regularly singing to and dancing with each other, and holding hands like sweethearts until his death on June 21st.

Prior to her death, she said “In every soul, there’s a little bit of good.”

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Bell, and her grandson, Jeremiah Jensen. She is survived and beloved by daughters Kimberly Musetta Feldman and Hayley Hourwitz, stepson John H. Bell, stepdaughters Christine Bell and Leslie Schleiger, granddaughters Jessica Jensen, Jillian Jensen Holt, and Grace Bell, grandsons Benjamin Schleiger and Nick Bell, and great-granddaughters Emma, Rowan, Zoë, Luna, Emerson, and Evelyn.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.EasternGateMemorial.com for the Bell family.