Melody Starr Bergen Bell
April 25, 1949 – April 27, 2021
It is with great sorrow that on April 27, 2021, at the age of 72, Melody Starr Bell passed away at her home in Minitonas, Manitoba, with family at her side.
Melody was born April 25, 1949 in Port Alberni, British Columbia to Willie Bergen and Eva Blanche Gill.
Melody was raised in Port Alberni and in St. Catharine’s, Ontario with her sister Debra. She enjoyed living for a time in the original home of Laura Secord before it became a museum; deeply cherished her camping trips with her family as a youngster along with fondly remembering when her mom worked for Eddie’s Chinese restaurant… mom loved his homemade egg rolls and fried rice.
Melody met and married Gerald Carl Bell of Renwer, MB in 1967. Melody trained as a successful hairdresser while Gerald ran his own logging company, and together they raised four beautiful daughters. Melody and Gerald separated in 1982 and later divorced.
Melody found her vocational passion within the Drug and Alcohol treatment field in 1984 and spent most of her career sharing her knowledge, experience and compassion to help others overcome their addictions.
Melody had a passion for both learning and teaching. Working with Elders on Vancouver Island learning the native teachings, becoming a Reiki Master, and continually striving towards self-personal enlightenment were so important to her. Melody’s trip to Mt. Shasta will forever remain a key time in her personal growth. Over the years, Melody felt greatly privileged to learn from and be close friends with Louise Roberts and Linda Bell of Vancouver Island.
Melody enjoyed sharing her knowledge and could often be found in conversation with others, discussing “the hard stuff”, “speaking your truth” and helping others to find their way to learn and grow as individuals within the universe. As she worked with others, she also grew as a person with each experience.
During a hiatus from working in the addictions field, Melody spent a short time working on a ranch, in a fish plant, and also as a waitress and cook before she returned to her passion of helping others. And she always had her hairdressing to fall back on. Melody spent her final professional years helping others grow and succeed through her role at Focus on Employment and Swan Valley Employment and Training Centre, then retired in 2018.
Life wasn’t always easy, but Melody was proud, and did whatever it took to “get it done” and look after her girls and herself. She was never afraid to attack a challenge head-on and it was these challenges that leant an endlessly evolving skill set and honed her into a strong, resilient, adaptable, capable and formidable woman.
She has ever been a guide to her girls, teaching them to stand proudly on our own two feet, to try to stare their weaknesses in the eye and to try to always speak their truth. It hasn’t always been easy to do.
Melody is survived by her loving daughters Patricia Shawn Bell of Dauphin, MB, Cheryl Dawn Lunding of Minitonas, MB, Kimberly Ann Blanchette of Gabriola Island, BC, and Brandy Sue Hlady-Clavet of Mackenzie, BC; grandchildren Tegan Lariviere (great-grandchildren Connor, Jasper, Gyspy and Journey), Billy-Jack Lariviere, Bram Lunding, Akira Lunding, Dakota Hlady, Quinn Hlady, Adeline Clavet and Keenan Clavet, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Melody was predeceased by her parents Willie Bergen and Eva Gill, and younger sister Debra Kelly.
Cremation has taken place by Swan Valley Funeral Services, with a private ceremony to be held at a later date. Should friends so desire, donations can be made to the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba in Melody’s name.
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