OXFORD – Eileen Joan Riggs Bell of Oxford, and formerly of Chester, passed away on Friday, December 19, 2008 at Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City. She was 73.
Eileen was born on June 21, 1935 in Kingston to the late Tekla Vilenius Riggs and Arthur David Riggs, Jr.
Eileen graduated from Ellenville High School and continued her education to graduate from St. Lukes nurses’ training, proudly pursuing her career as a registered nurse and worked in various local hospitals in Orange County, before retiring to Oxford.
Eileen is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Willard (Woody) H. Bell of Oxford; sons, David and wife Pamela of Bloomingdale, N.J. and Allan and wife Christiana of Tieton, Wash.; daughters, Heidi and companion William McBee of Buckeye, Ariz. and Andrea and husband Shane Tinney of Buckeye, Ariz.; four granddaughters, Amanda Sambets, Lauren Bell, Kodi Bell and Brianna Tinney; two grandsons, Liam and Shawn Tinney; and one great-grandson, Ryan.
Besides being the greatest wife and mother, Eileen loved to spend time in her Adirondack camp, hunting, fishing, and hiking in the mountains, and her greatest pleasure was spent in going to garage sales, especially with her daughters.
There will be no visitation or memorial service, but friends and relatives may gather at the Knights of Columbus, 90 Carpenter Place in Monroe on Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Eileen’s memory to Muscular Dystrophy Association, National Headquarters, 3300 East Sunrise Drive, Tucson, AZ 85718.
Funeral arrangements were made by Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Homes, Monroe. www.ssqfuneralhome.com or 845-782-8185.