Joyce (Klein) Bell

Joyce (Klein) Bell, of Mentor, passed peacefully into eternal life on November 28, 2025. She was surrounded in love by her children and grandchildren. Joyce, known most often as Gammy, was born in 1937 in Pittsburgh, PA. She was an avid Steelers fan until the end. Joyce was a devout woman of faith whose top priority was always family. She adored children and children were a constant presence throughout her life. After her husband, Jack Bell, passed in 1989, Joyce returned to the classroom, resuming her teaching career that had begun after she graduated from St. Francis College (PA). Joyce tutored in Mentor, and then taught in the Cleveland School District. During this time she earned her Master’s degree in Education. Joyce was a longtime member of St. Mary’s in Mentor, where she was involved in Ministry and Outreach programs. She was a voracious reader, and enjoyed playing bridge, traveling and spending time with friends. Her greatest joys, however, were summers at the Jersey shore spent with her beloved 17 grandchildren. Survivors include her children: Tom (Suzanne) Bell, Maureen Bell, Susan (Rob) Stanovsek, Janet (James) Ricciardi and Christine (Steve) Totte; grandchildren: Tommy, Lizi, Emily Bell; Matthew Bell; Shelby, Brinley, Jack, Wesley, Mick and Malley Stanovsek; Justin, Johnny, James and Lindsay Ricciardi; Luke, Jack and Abbey Totte; sister: Joan Swick, as well as countless nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. Joyce’s devotion to family went well beyond her own offspring; she was equally devoted to several generations of “Klein” babies. Preceding Joyce in death are her husband of nearly 30 years, John (Jack) H. Bell Jr.; parents, Sylvester and Elsie Klein; and beloved sisters, Mern Guest and Elsie Clayton. A funeral mass will be held at 9:00 am on Friday, December 5, 2025, at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 9925 Johnnycake Ridge Rd. Mentor, OH. 44060. A private interment will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Pittsburgh, PA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, P.O. Box 72101, Cleveland 44192 or donate online at www.hospicewr.org Arrangements entrusted to Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060. Offer condolences at www.brunners.com.