Tributes to Ella Bell
Ella passed away aged 104 recently, after a long life associated with Girlguiding in Dundee.
Two of our members have shared their memories here, and many people will have their own too.
Frances Dent writes "I first met Ella when she was one of the volunteers looking after our son and daughter in the creche at Logie & St John’s (Cross) Church. She and I became friends through various church activities including the Guild and the Art Group. When I started leading Brownies and Rainbows, she was always willing to come along if we needed extra hands, especially if we were having a Guiding History night.
I soon learnt that Ella had a long history in Girlguiding Dundee, then known by its official name, The City of Dundee Guide Association. She became the manager of the Dundee Guide Shop when it first opened in January 1968. Initially the Shop was in the Girl Guide Headquarters in Magdalen Place, but Ella continued to run the Shop through its moves to South Tay Street and Panmure Street. She was very interested to hear about the latest move to the Wellgate and was sorry not to be able to attend the Official Opening.
Ella was a keen member of 2nd Dundee Trefoil Guild. When she became unable to attend their meetings, she was pleased to entertain the group in her house. She was also a Vice President of Girlguiding Dundee and attended meetings and functions for as long as she was able.
She lived in Dundee all her life except when she was in the army during the second world war. She was mainly stationed in London where she was involved in sending and receiving messages. Ella had happy memories of this time and in recent years she enjoyed going to the monthly Veterans meetings. She regretted that none of the other veterans were from ‘her war’.
Latterly, Ella’s activities have been hampered by failing eyesight, but that has never diminished her interest in family (two daughters plus grandchildren and great-grandchildren), friends, church and Guiding. It was always a pleasure to visit her and to chat about this and that. She frequently enquired by name about all ‘her babies’ from that creche where we first met over thirty years ago."
Ali Niven writes "Ella, or Auntie Ella to me, was a huge influence on my early Guiding years. I remember being so chuffed that my Auntie ran the Guide Shop and used to love going in to visit with my mum on a Saturday. This was when the Guide Shop was on Panmure Street.
When I was working towards my Queens Guide Award (which I ended up not being awarded due to lack of nights under canvas! Not bitter at all!), I asked Auntie Ella if I could help out in the shop to earn my Service Flash Badge. I went in each Saturday for a couple of hours and loved it. Auntie Ella made it so much fun, and she was one of the main reasons I carried on in Guiding, becoming a Young Leader and eventually (nearly 35 years ago) a Leader.
She was one of my greatest supporters when I moved on to doing Arts Adviser for the County and always came along to craft and campfire evenings I organised. Latterly, we would meet up at Newbigging events which she was also a huge supporter of.
She was an amazing lady and stayed committed to Girlguiding throughout her life. I will miss seeing her smiling face at future events, and her words of wisdom, but she will always be with me while I continue my Girlguiding journey."
