December 2, 1961 – November 1, 2026
With immense love, we announce the peaceful passing of Denise Emmalene Bell on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Rotary Hospice in Stratford, following a courageous nine-year journey with metastatic breast cancer.
Denise was a devoted mother to her four cherished children, Meghan, Mitchel (Bianca), Matthew (Marilyn), and Madelyn, and an endlessly proud “Gaga” to her seven-year-old grandson, Finley Bell McCabe.
One of Denise’s greatest joys in her final weeks was attending the wedding of her son Mitchel and his wife Bianca on October 17, 2026. Her presence that day was nothing short of miraculous, a testament to her extraordinary strength, tenacity, and, above all, the boundless love she had for her family.
Denise was predeceased by her loving parents, William Gordon Bell and Emmalene Marie (Gerber) Bell; her brother Bruce Bell; her niece Jaimee Bell; and her nephews Steve Baechler and Joey Erb. She was also predeceased by her cherished former in-laws Joseph Clement McCabe and Elsie Mae (Wilson) McCabe, and sister-in-law Maureen McCabe, all of Norwood, Cincinnati.
Denise will be profoundly missed by her siblings Dianne Currah (Larry), Donna LeSouder (Pete), Darlene Schmidt (Calvin), Joe Bell (Cathie), Brian Bell (Harla Morris), John Bell (Connie), Pete Bell (Bev), Deb Bell (Paul Bender), as well as her sister-in-law Michelle Denier, her treasured nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family and so many cherished lifelong friends.
Born the youngest of ten children, she grew up surrounded by the joyful chaos of a large family, a spirit she carried throughout her life. Her door was always open, her heart always generous, and there was always room for one more at her table.
Denise enjoyed a lifelong love of travel and spontaneous adventures. She relished playing volleyball and golf with friends. She was the social convenor of countless card and board games with family.
Denise was a community builder and loved connecting good people to one another. She believed in second chances and always rooted for the underdog. She loved a charitable silent auction, bought tickets to every fundraiser and stopped at any farm market or lemonade stand on her path. Her work ethic was informed by her agricultural upbringing, and her generosity knew no bounds.
She found particular joy in sunsets over Lake Huron, annual trips to Port Stanley and Sunnybreeze, Florida. Yet wherever her travels took her, it was always the people she shared those moments with who mattered most.
Please Join Us in Celebrating Denise's Life. Family and friends are warmly invited to gather on Friday, November 6, 2026, to honour, remember, and celebrate Denise.
Funeral Service 1:30 PM - Shakespeare Presbyterian Church
Celebration of Life 2:30 PM – 5 PM - Shakespeare Optimist Hall - A special video tribute celebrating Denise's life will be shared at 3 PM.
Please feel welcome to join us for either or both gatherings. Your presence, in whatever way you are able to attend, will mean so much as we come together to remember our beloved Denise.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Wellspring Stratford/London in honour of Denise.
Denise's children warmly request family and friends to gather with them again on Wednesday, December 2, 2026, at Quehl's in Tavistock for an Open House between 1 PM and 4 PM to celebrate what would have been Denise's 65th birthday. Donations to Rotary Hospice are very welcome in honour of Denise's birthday.
Denise’s family is incredibly thankful to the team at London Health Sciences, Stratford General Hospital and HealthSource Integrative Medical Centre of Kitchener for the care they have provided Denise over the last decade.
Denise was a trailblazer in the metavivor community. The innovative trials and care that Denise engaged with will enhance the experience and improve outcomes for many others.
Messages and condolences for the family may be left in the comments box below.