Marilyn Bell

Marilyn Bearman Bell A resident of Santa Fe, NM, for 48 years passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2009 after a sudden illness. Marilyn was a true Southern Bell. She had a personal style of panache and flair. She was born and raised in Birmingham, AL. Daughter to John and Sara Bearman. She attended the University of Alabama. Marilyn arrived in Santa Fe in 1961 while on a trip visiting her brother, the late Leroy Bearman who was a sports writer and whom introduced her to Irving. After a brief courtship they were married in 1961. Marilyn was best known in Santa Fe as co-owner of Bell's Department Stores which was on San Francisco Street for 60 years. Not too long after, Marilyn became an intricate part of the operations of the store with an emphasis on upgrading the style and marketing. Not too long after, Marilyn would soon start her favorite job of all, being a Mother to Jon and Lance. Marilyn was a superb Mother; she never missed a day to talk with her two sons and was a source of inspiration to them throughout their entire life. Later Marilyn was thrilled to have three grandchildren. Another passion of hers was cooking. She was famous for her delicious holiday meals and would go to great lengths to please others with food. In fact the day before she went into the hospital she was shopping for her own Passover Seder. Religion was very important to Marilyn and instilled many traditions into her children. Survived by her son, Jon, his wife, Sherry and grandsons: Alec and Aaron of Albuquerque and son, Lance, his wife, Julia and granddaughter, Jacqueline of Santa Fe. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Irving of Santa Fe, her parent's, John and Sara Bearman, and brother, Marvin Bearman of Atlanta and Leroy Bearman of Albuquerque. Services will occur on Friday, April 10, 2009 at 2 pm at Congregation Beit Tikva on Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe, NM. Interment to follow at Memorial Gardens on Rodeo Road. Officiating will be Rabbi's Leonard Helman and Rabbi Nicholas Behrmann and Cantor Michael Linder. Arrangements will be in direction of Santa Fe funeral options. Donations in memory can be made to Congregation Beit Tikva, P.O. Box 24094, Santa Fe, NM 87502 or to Alpha Epsilon Phi Foundation, 11 Lake Avenue Extension, Suite 1A, Danbury, CT 06811. The family would like to thank the following wonderful people: Dow Suhre, MD and Kay Suhre, Dr Steve Robeson, Dr Paul Mills, Morris Abeyta, Carmen, Ana, Maryann and everyone else who helped care and love her.