Obituary of Rosalind Bell

Rosalind Ann Bell (nee Ball) 74, passed away peacefully on November 15th, 2021.

Born in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England, Rosalind was the daughter of the late Celwyn and Patricia (Cowan) Ball.  Rosalind is survived by her best friend and devoted husband David Stitt, sisters Carolyn Keirstead (Wallace) and Alison Ball (Peter Hicks), sisters-in-law Carolyn Woermke (Bruce) and Diane Fieldhouse, nieces and nephews Ian, Heather, Adam, Joshua, Andrea and Meredith.  She will also be missed by extended family members and many friends and colleagues.

Ros was an active life-long learner and readily shared her knowledge and wisdom.  Her experiences as an elementary school teacher and a Customs Officer in Vancouver and Montreal, led her to become an instructor at the Canadian Border Services Agency College.  She also taught at Sir Sandford Fleming College in Peterborough.  Upon returning to Customs, she added Superintendent to her list of roles there. Subsequently, she was an IT trainer and project manager with the Canada Revenue Agency. 

Rosalind was an enthusiastic and generous volunteer.  She was a chorister and sang with the Hamilton Bach-Elgar Choir, the Vancouver Bach Choir, the Toronto Mendelsohn Choir, Montreal Symphony Chorus, St. Lawrence Choir, Canadian Centennial Choir and CAMMAC choirs.  She was part of the volunteer security team at the Atlanta Olympics and with CMHC volunteers on Granville Island during the Vancouver Olympics.  She paddled with several dragon boat teams for cancer survivors, including Busting Out in Ottawa and the Pan-Canadian team – Canadians Abreast.  She served as Site Liaison for other volunteers on Habitat for Humanity builds.  Ros served on boards and committees, and in other capacities for Breast Cancer Action Ottawa, Canadians Abreast, CAMMAC, and Habitat for Humanity.  As a result, in 2018, she won a Volunteer Ottawa “VOscar”.  Ros particularly enjoyed her volunteer time with Dragons for All.

The family would especially like to thank the amazing staff at The Ottawa Hospital for the wonderful compassionate care provided to Ros, particularly in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation; Canadian Amateur Musicians / Musiciens amateurs du Canada (CAMMAC); or Habitat for Humanity, Greater Ottawa.

A further celebration of Ros’ life will take place sometime in early 2022.

Current Visitation information:

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Sunday, November 21, 2021

Cole Funeral Services (Pinecrest)

2500 Baseline Road

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

613-831-7122

Those visiting please ensure you bring along your proof of vaccination along with some photo identification.