Mary Ann (Sheldon) Bell

Mary Ann (Sheldon) Bell, 84, died unexpectedly but peacefully on Tuesday October 15th after a period of declining health. Born in 1940 to George and Della Sheldon in Meadville, PA, our mom grew up in Erie and then Dunkirk, NY where one of her many jobs was at a men’s clothing store where she learned – and never forgot – how to tie the perfect tie.

Our mom went to SUNY Geneseo in 1958 where she met many lifelong friends in the “Clio” sorority with whom she continued to meet each year whenever possible. She met Brian, the love of her life, while at Geneseo and they were married in 1961, having promised her dad she would graduate – which she did with a major in Theatre in 1962. Settling in Canandaigua, they welcomed a daughter and son in 1967 and 1969. 

While our mom became an English teacher after college, she found her true passion and calling by giving back to her communities. Starting as a volunteer at Sonnenberg Gardens, she eventually became its Executive Director for many years helping put the non-profit back on profitable ground. After Sonnenberg she became the Ontario County Director of the American Cancer Society until her “retirement” in the late 90s. Over the years, our mom was also on the boards of the Clark Manor House, Ontario County Tourism, Geneva Public Library, and the Town of Geneva Planning Board.

Our mom had so many dear friends not just from her volunteer efforts but throughout her very social and well-lived life. In addition to her Clio friends, she remained close to the Canandaigua bridge ladies, her CenterPointe and Seneca Lake CC golf leagues, the Canandaigua Current Events Club women, the Finger Lakes Investment Club girls, and the Geneva euchre group. Those friendships and the outreaching of support over the past few years – starting with our dad’s passing in 2022 to her health struggles over the past two years – meant the world to her and to us. To paraphrase, if you want to know the true measure of a woman, you simply count her friends.

Our mom was predeceased by her parents, her brother and two nieces. She is survived – and very missed – by daughter Mary Beth, son Brett, daughter-in-law, Sarah, her beloved grandchildren Ryan and Kylie as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins. A celebration of our mom’s life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in our mom’s name to the Ed and Gerry Couny Scholarships are most appreciated. These scholarships were created by our dad, Brian, and his Geneva High School football teammates in honor of their coach, Dr. Ed “Butch” Couny, to support education students at both Hobart William Smith Colleges and Finger Lakes Community College. Our mom was an integral part of these scholarships from inception and loved knowing that each year the scholarships would help students make college a bit more affordable.

Finger Lakes Community College

Attention: Ryan McCabe

Associate Vice President of Academic Technology & High Impact Practices

3325 Marvin Sands Drive

Canandaigua, NY  14424

Hobart William Smith Colleges

Attention: Kelly Young

Assistant Vice President for Development

300 Pulteney Street

Geneva, NY  14456

Please visit www.kenperkinsfuneralhome.com to leave a message of condolence for the Bell family.