Rinda Roundy Bell

Our Mamo has gone home and oh, how we will miss her!! She was born on a cool crisp morning on October 29, 1928, at her parents’ home in Bluewater, New Mexico. She was delivered by her mother’s sister, Aunt Belle. This would be her home where she was raised until she married. She was named after her mother, Clarinda Whetten Roundy. Her Father was Golden Parish Roundy.

She had six siblings; Westley, Velma, Elva, Florence (Floss), Elbert (Bert), and Retha – all of whom preceded her in death. She attended Snow College for two years and obtained her associate’s degree.

She met Billy Dean Bell from Ft. Sumner, New Mexico, While he was working in Bluewater. She was 20 years old. Soon after they moved to Ft. Sumner where Bill and his brother, Al, purchased and ran a Texaco Gas Station.

Four of their children were born in Ft. Sumner: Billie Jean, who passed away in a tragic accident at 3 months old; Johnny, Nancy, and Scott. Shortly thereafter, the family moved back to Bluewater where Bill established a Contractor Building Business, as well as other side businesses: Being a lineman, raising and selling chinchillas, and building and running a trailer park.

Other children came along in Bluewater – Kim, Rodger and Joylyn. Rodger passed away at the age of 44 in a work accident. Joylyn developed many health challenges. Mom gently cared for her, fed her through a tube and carried her everywhere she went until she passed away at age 7.

Bill, her husband of 46 years passed away in 1994 at the age of 65. They had been living in Cortez, Colorado, about 9 years at that time. To date they have 7 children, 20 grandchildren, 58 great grandchildren, and 11 great great grandchildren.

Mom was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and spent her life serving those around her: She was a Temple Worker; held many callings in her Congregation; loved to sing in the choir and had a beautiful alto voice. She conducted many choirs herself – one being a Christmas Cantata that was a real highlight for her.

She loved to raise a garden every year and can her produce to share with family and friends. She loved flowers and house plants and surrounded herself with dozens every place she lived. She had a real green thumb. She kept a plant, from a grandson’s funeral, alive, healthy and beautiful for 44 years. It’s alive and thriving today!!

She loved to quilt. Something that she first learned while living in Ft. Sumner where she joined a quilting group. She has since made hundreds of quilts and made certain that every child, grandchild and so on…received a quilt from “Mamo”. She also donated quilts by the dozens to charities. She was a talented seamstress and made many clothes and dresses for her children, in laws and grads!!

She developed an artist talent and painted many fine oil paintings. She and Bill served many years on the Uranium Bi-County Fair Board during which time all their children participated.

She was an amazing cook; never afraid to cut up a deer or elk on the kitchen table; loved new craft ideas; and was a true friend to all. She new ALL of her grandchildren well; knew what they were doing in life and was an amazing coach and support to each one of them. She had no favorites, but each one was special to her and an important part of her life. She never missed a birthday of any of them.

Even when things got rough the last few years of her life, when she could not see well or hear well, she never complained – always stating that “life is Good”. As children and grandchildren, we owe her so much! She gave us her time and each of us know that she loved us. Thank you, Mom, for a life well lived, for your powerful example and never-ending devotion as our mother and friend. We love you so much and you so often stated, “We will see you in the morning”!!!