Joyce E. Bell passed away on Friday, July 23, at her home in Casper.
She was born May 22, 1935, to Sanford and Hazel Wagers Abbott in Rawlins, with her twin sister Janyce. She was later adopted by Harold and Ethel Kelley in 1951, and was brought to Evanston to start her high school years. She graduated from Evanston High in 1954 and, shortly thereafter, she married Vincent Caldwell on June 4, 1954. This union was blessed with four children: Ellen, Laurie, Curtis and Nancy. They divorced in 1974.
Joyce married Leon Bell on May 22, 1976; they were happily married for 45 years. They left Evanston shortly after they married, due to Leon’s job with Amoco, going first to Rawlins, then on to Casper, where they retired and spent many years doing the things they enjoyed, along with many friends they made along the way.
Joyce was happiest when she was helping people, and she received the presidential award for her volunteer work at the Wyoming Medical Center — She gave more than 20,000 hours of herself. Another proud moment for her was when she was chosen to carry the Olympic Torch in Casper, for the 2002 Winter Olympics that were held in Salt Lake City.
Above all, her family was her greatest joy and love. Her faith in God was strong from a very young age, she loved her church that she faithfully attended every Sunday. She was loved by many and will be sadly missed.
She is survived by her husband, Leon; daughters, Ellen (Spencer Pilch), Laurie (Kirk Ellingford) and Nancy Robertson; one son, Curtis Caldwell; eight grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her biological parents, Sanford and Hazel Wagers Abbott; her adoptive parents, Harold and Ethel Kelley; her sisters, Grace, Emma, and Janyce; her brother, Charles; and her son-in-law, Russell Robertson.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service was held for her on July 29 in Casper. She is buried in the Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery in Evansville.
