E-PLANTATION – Betty Lou Pauline O’Neal Bell Kathan, 74, died Feb. 29, 2004, at her home in E-Plantation. She was born Dec. 5, 1929, the daughter of Fred W. and Velva V. (Cox) O’ Neal. Betty worked very hard raising three young children after losing her only love, Alfred Bell at an early age to cancer. She worked for many years as a cook for Lynd’s Truck Stop then for the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton, until retiring to her home in E-Plantation. She was a wonderful and very caring mother, living life to the fullest. Betty was a very honest and out spoken person, loving just about everyone she knew. In times of need, she was always there for the ones she loved. She enjoyed going out for rides to look at the scenery, playing cards and sewing. But most of all she enjoyed watching the “The Price is Right.” Being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren always brought a tear to her eye, they were the greatest joy in her life. Betty is survived by two daughters, Paula Dube and her husband, Kenny, of Westfield, Christine Ricker and her husband, Bruce, of Mars Hill; one son, James Bell of Monticello; 16 grandchildren, Melissa McPherson and her husband, Robbie, of Presque Isle, Amanda Toby of Westfield, Melinda Dube and her friend, Bob, of Harvard, Mass., Michael Dube and his friend, Shaina, of Orient, Tasha Boyce, Travis Kelley, Kyle Cody Bell, Taliana Ricker, Chelsie Dawn McEachern, all of Mars Hill, Stephanie Kelley and her friend, Ian Mills, of Easton, Lyndsie Bell, Britney Bell of Monticello, Jamie Bell Mitchell of Bangor, Joshua Bell of Westfield, Jessica Bell of Arkansas, Jodie Bell and her friend, Tony Clayton, of Easton; seven great-grandchildren, Caleb Joseph Dube, Alex Zeloutis Toby, Danielle Chantelle, Joyden Mae McPherson, Breezie Bell, Zachery David Mills; one brother, Bertrum O’Neal and his wife, Alberta, of Thomaston, Conn.; one very special sister-in-law, Lorraine Orr and her husband, Willard, of Moores, N.Y.; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husbands, Alfred Merlin Bell and Arthur Katham; her parents; her brother, Alvin O’Neal; and her daughter-in-law, Terri Bell. Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Wednesday at the Dunn Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. David Tuttle officiating. Interment will be in the Littleton Cemetery. Gifts may be made in Betty’s memory to the Betty Lou Kathan Memorial Fund, care of Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park St., Houlton, ME 04730.
BETTY LOU P. BELL KATHAN
