Jeanne M. Bell

Bernardston, Massachusetts
Reverend Jeanne “Holly” (Millett) Bell, 85, of 10 Eden Trail and a resident of the Charlene Manor Extended Care Facility, Greenfield, MA, passed peacefully on Friday morning, January 22, 2016 at the nursing facility following a period of declining health.
She was born in Everett, MA on December 9, 1930 to Robert N. and Leonora (Mann) Millett and was named Jeanne Hollyberry Millett in honor of the Advent Season.  Holly received her education attending Keene Public Schools, graduating from Keene High School at the age of 16. She attended Smith College in Northampton, MA, where she obtained her BA in 1951.  It is here that she found her passion for the Unitarian Universalist church.  She earned her MA in Religious Studies along with the Stevens-Gesner Project at the Hartford Seminary Foundation in 1973.  This Stevens-Gesner Project was a special program of the Unitarian Universalist Associations to educate religious leaders without a theological school.
Holly was the Director of Religious Education at the All Souls Church, Greenfield MA from 1956-1970.  She was ordained at All Souls Church after receiving her preliminary ministerial fellowship from the UUA in 1973 and where she built many life-long friendships.  In 1974 she became the minister of Unity Church in North Easton, MA retiring from her post in 1999 after 25 years of service. She joyously moved back to Bernardston to be closer to family, friends and old neighbors.  She was very happy to reunite with her first beloved Unitarian Universalist Church, All Souls in Greenfield MA.
Holly enjoyed many activities that included the outdoors, hiking, camping, canoeing, birdwatching and gardening.  She spent many summers at Star Island and Rowe Camp which gave her a sense of purpose and spiritual refreshment. She was an avid reader and a dog lover.  
Throughout her life, Holly outwardly demonstrated her social conscience by advocating and protesting for fair and equitable treatment of all.  She continued to find deep and profound connections to the natural and physical world and was comforted and supported thinking that at death she would ultimately go back to the universe from which she came.
She is lovingly remembered by her children: Peter M. Bell and his wife Mary, of Bernardston, MA; Rebecca H. “Becky” Bell and her husband, Edward Green of Castleton, NY and Elizabeth M. “Libby” Kellard and her husband Robert, of Danvers, MA.  Additionally she leaves her adoring grandchildren: Emily Bell Springett and her husband Doyle; Christopher H. Bell, Meghan E. Kellard and Alyssa M. Kellard.  Holly was predeceased by her son Marc A. Bell, as well as by her sister Cheryl Herman.  Several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews will remember her with great affection.  She was the spouse of the late Hubert W. Bell and the late Gerald C. Bailey.
In keeping with Holly’s social consciousness and desire for simplicity, she will be cremated.  A memorial service will be observed to celebrate her life at a future date.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Holly to the Unitarian Universalist Association, 24 Farnsworth Street, Boston MA 02210 (giving.uua.org/friends).

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