Connie Bell
December 11, 1946 - December 2, 2020
CONNIE R. SHERAUSKI BELL
Connie passed away on Wed., Dec 2nd, 2020 at the age of 73 due to complications related to the Covid Virus.
She was born in Chicago, IL to Robert and Rosemary Sherauski. The family relocated to Salt Lake City, UT when Connie was 15 years old and she resided there the rest of her life.
Connie attended Judge Memorial High School and, then, the University of Utah where she earned two degrees in English and American Literature. Connie displayed a brilliance in writing and was employed by the State as a technical writer for several years.
A short, happy marriage to Greg Bell in Ann Arbor, MI was interrupted as she began to experience mental health issues. Her devoted mother and father fearlessly, lovingly and tirelessly guided her to the help she needed. Despite her own struggles, she became an advocate for others with mental health issues. She was employed by Valley Mental Health as a case aid where she assisted other patients in navigating through the Human Services system to obtain the benefits they needed. She became actively involved in NAMI, The National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the Alliance House where she was a writer for that organization’s newspaper.
For many years, Connie resided in various Independent Living facilities, primarily Valley Villa (a subsidiary of Alliance House). It was a close knit community and there she met Mike P. and Patricia, who became extraordinary, close friends for many years!
Eventually, Connie’s health required that she advance to an assisted living facility. She became a resident of St. Joseph’s Villa in Sugarhouse. The Villa quickly became her home. She was so happy there! She met many residents whom she considered family! Special thanks to Joy, Director of Assisted Living, who was Connie’s guardian angel, Connor, Jill , Father David and John and Toni (Connie’s surrogate sister) Makoff and her cherished therapists, Anise and Beth. These five years were, undoubtedly, some of the happiest of her life!
Connie was the self – made Walmart Greeter of St. Joseph’s Villa and everyone loved her vivacious personality.
She was a voracious reader and shared the magic of books with many willing recipients!
She was a prolific writer and a published poet.
You would have been considered fortunate to have received a “personal poem” from Connie. This gift had a way of reaching deep into one’s soul and was known to bring many to tears!
Even before it was socially acceptable, Connie had a revolutionary feminist spirit and believed that gender equality would, one day, make the world a better place!
To her sisters, Phyllis and Kathy, she was one of the 3 Musketeers. They all feel a fierce devotion to each other!
Connie and her brother-in-law, Terry shared a bond with their affinity and kinship to the American Indian Culture.
Connie was especially proud of her neice, Corrinne and her four nephews, Shawn, John, Geoff and Dane who were always there for her!
She and her neice, Corrinne were especially close, spending many hours talking and being together, especially in the last several years!
She loved all her family equally and with great intensity!
Her world was her oyster and with not one gray hair, even into her seventies, she had a grand command on her life!
Connie’s soul was a miracle and her mind, a masterpiece!
God speed Connie! You are sorely missed by many!
At a place that was special to Connie, her family will be planning a Celebration of Life in the summer months!
In Loving Memory
I was blessed to know Connie and be her friend. For me, she was always a calming influence: level -headed, intellectual, non-judgmental, kind, and supportive. While Phyllis and I were doing our best to get into trouble, Connie was the anchor in our storm. She was beautiful, creative, and always seemed to live life on her own terms. My memories of her make me smile. Farewell my friend - fly free, dance, write poetry, and just keep being you ��.
Dear Phyllis and Kathy ~ Connie and I were such good friends in high school. We were in business classes together and she always beat me in the shorthand tests. She started working at Sears and would spend her money on designing her clothes and buying expensive shoes at Makoffs. She was beautiful. I remember practicing dancing in your living room in Sugarhouse. She loved dancing! She really had a feel for Bob Dylan's message and loved Joan Biaz's songs. We had such good times. Always sharing, laughing and caring. One of our mutual friends in high school was Betty Bell. She had such a dry sense of humor and would make us laugh till we cried . She passed away this morning, Dec.4. I thought it so serendipitous that two good friends should pass in the same week. May they both rest in peace. Comforting hugs to you both during this painful time. Sincerely, Pam Smolik Sadler
RIP my friend. You were a beautiful asset to VMH clients. I will always remember our conversations and sharing of books.
I am saddened to see that Connie passed away. I knew her slightly in the '70's when she went out with a friend of mine and we talked at the Rotary Glen keggers. Then when my partner and I were on our way to Maryland, we visited her for a while in Ann Arbor. I'm really sorry she had mental health issues, but the beautiful obituary indicated she still had a meaningful life and the smile on her face in the picture looks very genuine. I'm so sorry we didn't keep in touch. I live close to St. Joseph's Villa and would have loved to spend time with her. Phyllis and Kathy, it sounds like you were wonderful sisters.
I was so saddened to see Connie had passed and yet what a celebration with her parents and the Lord. Connie and I were friends at Judge together--lots of memories! I was recently reunited with her at St. Joseph Villa where I volunteer. She was truly a special spirit even in difficult times. What a beautiful life!
As a physical therapist at St. Joseph’s villa I spent many afternoons with Connie going for a walk, guiding her through exercise and sharing about our lives. I moved back to idaho In May and I just found out about her passing. She quickly became a friend that I was happy to see almost every day of the week. She was always wearing a fun necklace or sweater. She shared books, life lessons and her friendship. My thoughts are with your family at this time and I’m so sorry for your loss.
Connie was a special friend for many years. So many wonderful memories of long important conversations, taking photographs, a girls trip to Moab and mostly laughing and having fun. We worked together and some of the best photos of my baby daughter were taken by Connie. She was creative in so many ways and a dear friend. I am sorry we lost touch and so sorry that she is gone because of this awful covid. All my love to her family. Gloria
In Loving Memory
