Sylvia Kathleen Bell

BELL, Sylvia Kathleen (Waddell) – Halifax, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2015, surrounded by family. Born in New York, NY, on March 21, 1931, she was a daughter of the late Dr. Alfred Ernest and Emelia Maria (Castillo) Waddell. She was the gold medal recipient in the first graduating class of the Bachelor of Science degree (Pharmacy), Dalhousie University. Sylvia was Director of the Pharmacy at the IWK hospital from 1958 until her retirement. She was a respected leader and educator who spearheaded pharmacy innovations in the hospital such as specialized sterilizing procedures and development of the first hospital drug formulary and paediatric dosage manual. She was the first female president of the Canadian Pharmaceutical Association and received numerous professional honours and awards including the NS Pharmaceutical Society Bowl of Hygeia and the Award for Outstanding Community Service in Pharmacy. Sylvia successfully balanced a demanding career with an active family life. She created a huge circle of love through gatherings with extended family and friends. She instilled in her children and grandchildren her work ethic and the importance of family. She was proud of all of their achievements. During retirement Sylvia loved to travel abroad. She became a skilled craftswoman focusing primarily on woodworking and rughooking. Many of her creations were designed especially for, and are cherished by, loved ones. Sylvia continued to be active in community service and was a devoted parishioner of St John the Baptist Church. Sorely missed by her family, she is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Judi Bell and Ken Johnson, Lesley and Ully Bleil, Halifax, Jennifer Bell and Bill Mahar, Montreal; sons and daughters-in-law, Stephen and Heidi, and George "Geordie" and Brenda, Halifax; grandchildren, Michael Johnson, Colin Bell (Amy Lockhart), Christina and Julia Bell, Robin and Erin Mahar; sister, Winifred Milne, sister-in-law Barbara (Clyde) Beals, brother-in-law Ken (Judi) Bell, sister-in-law Marcella Waddell and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Ronald Bell, and brothers, Joseph and Alfred Waddell. Visitation will be 2 – 4 pm and 6 – 8 pm, Monday April 6, at J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr., Halifax. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 2 pm on Tuesday April 7 at St. John the Baptist Church, 26 Purcells Cove Rd. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Giant Steps Montreal School (5460 avenue Connaught, Montreal, PQ H4V 1X7) http://weblink.donorperfect.com/giantsteps_eng or a charity of your choice would be graciously appreciated.