Leatrice Bell

Leatrice Bell passed away on November 9th peacefully at home of natural causes surrounded by her loving family including her husband of 70 years, Stanley Bell. She was 91.

Leatrice was born in the Bronx to Sydney and Rose Isler. As an only child she was doted on by both parents and her grandparents known fondly as Papa Rudy and Mamma. In fact, she had to sleep in the same bed with her grandma for a year and loved it. She graduated from Walton High School. Shortly after meeting the love of her life, they were wed at Rego Park Jewish Center and remained devoted to one another for seven decades.

After raising four children she decided it was time to get a job. She applied to the Orangeburg Holiday Inn for the party planner position and when asked what her qualifications were, she said, “I’ve been planning parties and events for my kids for 15 years!” When they hired her, she immediately told them they weren’t paying enough money and received a raise.

She went on to work for several hotels in Rockland handling parties and events. Leatrice was also a founding member of Beth Am Temple in Pearl River and head of the Oneg Shabbat committee always ensuring that there was enough food for everyone. Her son Martin was one of the first to become a Bar Mitzvah at Beth Am, followed by her daughter Risa and finally her granddaughter Samantha 48 years after Martin’s, all at Beth Am.

One of her greatest gifts was being the ultimate cheerleader for her children and grandchildren. She believed they were all smarter than the rest and could accomplish anything. She greeted every announcement of a high grade in school, sports accomplishment, or job promotion with the biggest grin and hug. She’ll also be remembered for her comfort food including cheesy lasagna, delicious chicken that we cannot seem to match, her melt-in-your-mouth brisket, and her comforting matzoh ball soup. Mom was always the hostess with the mostest, ensuring that if you were visiting, she was going to have all your favorite snacks, foods and drinks waiting for you.

Perhaps her most enduring legacy will be her magnificent poetry. Leatrice wrote hundreds of poems, some for reflection, some for birthdays and anniversaries, many just to be silly and whimsical, and all of them written with joy and love. We look forward to publishing a book with many of them.

Leatrice had the most beautiful handwriting -- the old school kind that no one can seem to replicate anymore. If the mailman delivered an envelope with that handwriting, you knew the sender and you also knew you were getting a Hallmark card, one of a hundred you might have received over your lifetime regardless of where you lived or how long ago you saw her.

She imparted many lessons to her children and grandchildren including always carry a comb, a hanky, and a dime for a phone call and always be polite and use your manners. In the last days of her beautiful life, she constantly thanked her caregivers for helping her and always thanked her family for visiting.

The love and devotion she shared with her husband Stanley were truly extraordinary. Not many couples last 70 years; they celebrated that milestone on October 19th of this year. They met on the boardwalk in Rockaway in 1950 when mom was just 19. He bought her a hotdog at Nathan’s and kissed her on the first date - the rest is history.

Leatrice is survived by her husband Stanley, her children, Martin Bell, Sherry Guglielmo, Risa Hoag and Richard Bell, daughters-in-law Brenda and Theresa, son-in-law Bill, seven wonderful grandchildren, Eric, Gary, Chris, Kelley, Samantha, Tim and Nicholas, and two great grandchildren Maxwell and Benjamin, dear cousins Mara and Arthur and their spouses Bruce and Merle, as well as many other cousins and family members.

Our mom will live on in our hearts and souls as we honor her memory each and every day through our own good deeds.

If you would like to make a donation in her name, please visit https://tinyurl.com/wwf-leatrice

For the World Wildlife Fund. Leatrice had a love of animals and Loren Mayor, her cousin, is the Chief Operating Officer of