TENANTS HARBOR – Sally Murphy Bell, 72, beloved wife of Gordon W. Bell, passed from this life into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011. She left this world surrounded by her husband and daughters at her home. Born May 4, 1938, in Greenville, she was the daughter of John J. and Lillian F. Worster Murphy.
Sally attended Greenville High School. In 1978, she began her college studies and earned an associate degree in social services from the University of Maine, Orono. She worked for many years as a counselor to the families and children of the Head Start program in Knox County. She was extremely proud to serve the Head Start families and loved seeing the children in the community. Sally worked alongside her husband, Gordon, from 1974 to 1998 as a state park receptionist at Reid State Park and Camden Hills State Park. She had a true gift for customer service and her work in a number of boutiques and retail shops gave her great satisfaction and success. She was an avid collector and enjoyed scouting flea markets and yard sales for just the right items. She was creative and enjoyed knitting, needlework, jewelry making and many other crafts. She loved to read books of all kinds. Sally shared her hobbies with friends and family. Sally loved to travel and be on the road. During their marriage she and Gordon traveled extensively. She especially liked Disney Resorts. After retirement Gordon and Sally spent the winter months in Florida, volunteering at various parks and historical sites, returning home in the spring.
Sally was predeceased by her parents; her sisters, Bitha Hyland and Beverly Macomber; and her brothers, Frank Walker and Sonny Walker. She is survived by her husband of 37 years; her daughters, Candice Carpenter and her husband, Pete, of Lincolnville, and Randice Creamer and her husband, Rick, of Rockland; granddaughters, Cara Carpenter of South Portland and Caitlin Carpenter of Brewer; a sister, Frances Roy; a brother, Philip Walker and his wife, Beverly Walker, all of Greenville; and a very special niece, Brenda Macomber of Portland. Her little dogs, Maggie and Chrissy, are an important part of the family. Her family said she touched many lives and will be missed by her friends in Maine and Florida.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at Advent Christian Church, Port Clyde. A reception and time of visiting will be held after the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, friends may make donations to the building project at Advent Christian Church, P.O. Box 305, Port Clyde, ME 04855. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland. To share a memory or condolence with Sally’s family, please visit her online guest book at obituaries at
www.bchfh.com.