Frances Daniel Meide Bell, age 66, passed away Tuesday, September 27, 2011 from complications of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), peacefully and with her family at her side. Frances was a lifelong Beaches resident, graduating from Fletcher High School and then Florida State University. She started her career as an elementary school teacher and retired from Fletcher High School as the head media specialist. Frances was predeceased by her parents, Nell and Hewett Daniel, and by her husband Charles Meide. She is survived by her husband Dick Bell, her children Chuck Meide and Cindy Meide VonDolteren, her step-children Richie Bell (Leslie) and Patrick Bell, her grandson Charlie VonDolteren, her sister Nancy Hartney, her brother Bill Daniel (Susan) and numerous nieces and nephews. Frances was an avid FSU fan and was a competitive swimmer and tennis player. She also enjoyed travelling and scuba diving, having completed over 200 dives and trips to many countries in Europe and the Caribbean and also China, Australia, and New Zealand. She was an active member of Christ United Methodist Church. She had always been a pillar of strength for her family during hard times, and her grace and faith when faced with the devastation of ALS was, and continues to be, an inspiration for all of us. A memorial service will held at Christ United Methodist Church on Tuesday, October 4, at 2:00 pm, with Pastor Bill Beebe officiating. A reception will follow in Wilson Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to any of the following charities which were important to her: Christ United Methodist Church (400 Penman Rd., Neptune Beach, FL 32266); ALS Association (3242 Parkside Center Circle, Tampa, FL 33619); Hemophilia Foundation of Greater Florida (1350 N. Orange Ave., Ste. 227, Winter Park, FL 32789).
-Obituary published in the Florida Times-Union on September 30, 2011