Melinda S. Bell

Melinda (Mindy) S. Bell, 36, of Pittsburgh PA, (formerly of Franklin), passed away unexpectedly Wednesday morning, April 20, at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. Born in Franklin on June 5, 1974, Mindy was the daughter of John Andrew and Karla S. Shaffer Bell of Elk Street. Before moving to Pittsburgh, Mindy worked locally as a Therapeutic Support Specialist and also for AmeriCorps at North Clarion School District. After she moved to Pittsburgh, she worked at UPMC as an Educational Specialist, and was currently employed at Resources for Human Development as a Recovery Support Aide. She was also currently employed as an independent contractor for PACE where she worked with autistic children. Mindy was a member of the Fox Street Church of God in Franklin and the Northway Community Church in Wexford. She enjoyed traveling, especially to Spain, Portugal, North Africa and England. She received a B.A. Degree in Elementary Education from Westminster College; attended Slippery Rock University for post-baccalaureate studies in Therapeutic Recreation; and received her Master's Degree in Education from the University of Pittsburgh. Mindy loved working with children, reading, and she loved playing pinochle with her parents and her cousin, Heidi. She especially loved getting together with her family and friends. In addition to her parents, Mindy is survived by her many Aunts and Uncles: Henry Bell, Jr., and his wife, Maureen, of Denver, Colorado; Rosalie Gold and her husband, Robert, of Telford, PA; Raymond Bell and his wife, Marybeth, of Millis, Massachusetts; David Bell and his wife, Gemma, of Garner, North Carolina; Steven Bell and his wife, Betsy, of Frye, Maine; Sharon Paulson and her husband, William, of DuBois; Martha Beach of Franklin; Linda Donahue and her husband, James, of Ridgeway; Woodrow Shaffer, Jr., and his wife, Debbie, of Wilcox; Kenneth Shaffer and his wife, Colleen, of Ridgeway; Laurie Storrar and her husband, Richard, of Wilcox; and Cynthia Salerno and her husband, Joseph, of Kane. She is also survived by many cousins. Mindy was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Woodrow and Martha Shaffer; her paternal grandparents, Henry and Mary Bell; her two brothers, David Andrew Bell and Thomas Andrew Bell; and her uncle, Leroy (Bud) Beach. Family and friends of Mindy will be received on Sunday, May 1 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Fox Street Church of God. A Memorial Service for Mindy will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 1, at the Fox Street Church of God, with the Rev. Robert Meckley, former pastor of the church, officiating. He will be assisted by Rev. Lonny Wolford, current pastor of the church. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Fox Street Church of God, 229 Fox Street, Franklin, PA 16323 and/or The Children's Institute of Pittsburgh, Institutional Advancement Dept., 1405 Shady Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217-1350. The Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.