Celia Patricia Bell

Celia Patricia Bell was born on June 5, 1954 to Elaine Alberta Logan de Bell and the late Rupert (Maximillian) Calvin Bell in Santo Thomas Hospital, Panama City, Republic of Panama. She was the first of four children from this union.

On October 22, 1961 at the age of seven, she immigrated to the United States. Her first exposure to cold weather left an enduring impression, and for the remainder of her life she had an aversion to cold weather.

Upon entering school, Celia was soon recognized for her academic abilities. She was a gifted student and excelled in English, Mathematics and Science. She graduated from Public School 213 and went on to George Gershwin Junior High School where she continued to grow and discovered a love and appreciation of music. After graduation, she attended Prospect Heights High School where she continued to excel in academics. She was in the Social Studies Honors Club, the Jr. and Sr. Arista program, the Debating Club, A.V. Squad, Math Club, Bowling Club and was the Math Club Secretary. Along with the senior celebrities of her graduating class, she was among those voted most likely to succeed.

After graduation in 1972, Celia was accepted into the prestigious New York University. For the first time in her life, she found academic study to be challenging. She often said that what she learned in four years of high school, she learned in one semester at N.Y.U. The rigor of college was strenuous and she spent countless hours late into the night at the library with a small study group. During that period she thought about a career in medicine, but never pursued it. Celia graduated from New York University Washington Square and University College of Arts and Science with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in February 1978.

After college, Celia went to work at various different secretarial jobs. She worked at the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary as an administrative secretary in both the Radiology and Pharmaceutical Departments. She also worked as a medical transcriptionist for Liebeskind & Messina Radiology Group. Shortly after that, she asserted herself as an independent woman and moved out of her familial home into her first apartment.

For a short time she moved to Miami, Florida and worked at EAI Medical personnel Services. She later purchased her first home, but subsequently lost it to Hurricane Andrew. She then returned to New York.

Later in life she worked as the manager at the Maximillian Bell’s Cocktail Lounge. Founded and established by her father, the bar/lounge was a forty year fixture on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights community. Celia managed the club successfully until her father’s death and the subsequent closing of the bar in 2015. She truly enjoyed setting the tone and mood of the club so that everyone loved to stay. Some great ideas and divergent philosophies were hatched and discussed while Celia was present at the club.

Celia had a sharp mind, a wicked wit, and a sense of humor. She loved to talk and debate, and could hold her own with anyone.

Celia identified as an Israelite. She came into the truth during the last three years of her life. She kept the Sabbath religiously and studied with a core group of individuals (members of the Twelve Tribes) up until her death.

Unfortunately, she developed heart disease later in life after many years of smoking. She was unable to reverse the damages done to her heart. On June 30, 2023 she died of a massive heart attack.

Celia leaves behind her beloved mother, Elaine, her sister, Sonia, her brothers Rupert Calvin Jr. and Maximillian. She leaves behind her nephews Xaviar Bell and Immanuel Bell Barnett. She leaves behind her niece, Rhayven Bell. She also leaves behind her grand niece Riley Bell (age 6) and grand nephew Christopher Parks (age 3 weeks).

Celia was a beautiful, kind loving spirit. She will be greatly missed.

This was one of her favorite prayers:

The Jabez Prayer

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying,

“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,

and enlarge my territory,

that Your hand would be with me,

and that You would keep me from evil,

that I may not cause pain!”

So God granted him what he requested.

1 Chronicles 4:10 (NKJV)