In loving memory of
Jacqueline Gay Bell
The family have chosen this music to commemorate their loved one.
The family of Jacqueline Gay Bell, 80, of Halifax, share the news of her passing on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at the Victoria General Hospital, Halifax, with her family by her side.
Jacquie was born in Miami Beach, FL in 1945, and was the daughter of Wilson and Sylvia (Cogan) Buster.
Raised by her paternal grandparents in Junction, Texas, Jacquie became involved in peace movements in the 1960s and converted to Buddhism in the early 1970s, as a student of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and then Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. She immigrated, along with her husband and two children, from Colorado to Nova Scotia in 1988. A devoted meditation practitioner, Jacquie also emphasized helping others in a professional capacity, working as a medical social worker with a focus on palliative care, and then as a hospice volunteer in her retirement. She was instrumental in founding and developing the palliative care programs in Annapolis Royal and Digby, Nova Scotia, and in establishing Hospice Halifax near Point Pleasant Park. An avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction, her children remember her fondly with stacks of library books, always with a stash of chocolates or caramels hidden somewhere.
Jacquie approached her death as she did her life: with a sense of pragmatism, acceptance, equanimity, and even humour. She expressed her love for family members and friends again and again throughout her illness and shared her beautiful smile into her last days.
Jacquie lives on in her much-loved husband, Tom; children, Victoria Hagens ( Simon) of Toronto, ON, Wilson Bell (Martha) of Kamloops, BC, and stepson, Adam Hammond (Laura) of Chicago, IL; proud grandmother to seven grandchildren: Henry, Arthur, and Gwendolyn of Toronto; Maeve and Amri of Kamloops; and Meara and Aidan of Chicago; and one great-grandchild (Quinton of Chicago).
In keeping with Jacquie’s faith, a private home ceremony will take place followed by a private interment in Fairview Lawn Cemetery, Halifax. There will be a Celebration of Life, open to friends, family, and all those who were touched by Jacquie’s life, to be held at St. Mary’s Boat Club in Halifax on Friday, October 17, 2025 from 1:00-3:00pm. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Personal Care Cremations.
For those wishing, her family would appreciate donations in Jacquie’s memory be made to Hospice Halifax, Doctors Without Borders, UNHCR or the Sakyong Potrang.
PRINTABLE VERSION
SERVICES & GATHERINGS
Celebration of Life
St. Mary's Boat Club
October 17, 2025 1:00 pm
1641 Fairfield Rd Halifax, NS
Fairview Lawn Cemetery
3720 Windsor Street Halifax, NS
View on Google Maps
View on Google Maps
Tom, my deep condolences. Such a wonderful warm and open human being, and a shared life partnership. As you know this is the stage of our generation’s passing, leaves dropping as they will, know that you two were well matched, enriching presence, beautiful hearts. Loss is fullness, nothing more. You both touch me deeply. Thank you.
Almost exactly twenty years ago, Jacquie came into our lives as my mother was entering palliative care at home. They became fast friends and though their direct friendship was short lived, Jacquie and I maintained our own over the next two decades.
I did not know she was ill, but am so grateful for the especially warm hugs we shared one last time this Summer as she and Tom visited on their journey to Vermont.
What a special lady! What a big heart and brilliant light.
Sending Tom, Victoria, Wilson, and families (Liz too!) my deepest condolences and warmest of hugs from here.
“Cry when you need to; laugh when you can”.
(Sound advice from Jacquie). xo
Annett and myself send our Love and Lungta.
Jacquie, may you travel with Confidence!
With heart
Veit ☀️🙏
Jacquie has been a dear friend for some 50 years! With Tom, we all wound up at the ’76 seminary together, and at different times moved from Boulder, Colorado to Nova Scotia. In ’92 when I had just arrived and was in the Roper household while Karen was doing a retreat at Milk Lake, I was able to take Lizzy and Johnny down to the Valley where Jacquie, Tom and their children Victoria and Wilson lived for a beautiful Thanksgiving. When Jacquie broke her hip, I was fortunate to spend that Halloween night at their home on Duncan Street, caring for her and handing out treats to the hordes of neighbourhood children that came ringing the doorbell dressed in a crazy assortment of costumes. And when I began falling apart, Jacquie drove me to many a doctor appointment! Her kindness and willingness to help were always present. Dharma practice and the love of her children and grandchildren were the main themes of her life. We are the same age, well, I will be 80 later this month, but I was so saddened when she told me she had pancreatic cancer. How could this be? But throughout this transitional time, her devotion and practice manifested as incredible equanimity, an inspiration to everyone who witnessed her last weeks, I am sure.
Journey on, Jacquie…
P.S. I am unable to attend the celebration due to recovering from a broken kneecap.
Jacquie, I did not know you were ill, somehow I didn’t get the memo or I would have helped.
I am happy to have spent time with you and your daughter in Nepal and the chance to express my gratitude to you for your help with Paul’s passing once again.
May we traverse this planet again together and honour the three jewels.
Safe and auspicious journey Jacquie!