Dates
Mavis Clarkson Bell, 78, died on Sunday, October 6, 2019. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 3 S. Randolph Street, with inurnment to follow in the church courtyard columbarium. Fr Matt Rowe will officiate. Arrangements are by Harper Funeral Home. She requests bright and colorful flowers.
Mavis was born October 1, 1941 in Heswall, Wirral, England, to her parents George and Nell Clarkson. The middle child of three, Mavis grew up in Heswall and loved her home because there were so many places to play and explore. As a young girl she loved wearing her hair in braids and enjoyed going to the movies and reading. She began her education at St. Peter’s Church of England Elementary School and then went on to Pensby School for Girls. West Kirby Children's Nursing Home was her first place to learn nursing where she won the Matron's prize for best nurse of the year. Then she went on to train at the Royal Salop Infirmary, and continued to work there after graduating from the Royal College of Nursing in 1965. In August 1966, along with a fellow nurse, she decided to move to San Angelo, Texas to nurse at Shannon. She chose San Angelo because it had qualities similar to her home – a farming community with a river running through it. The moderate temperatures also made the community attractive to her. Mavis quickly became at home in San Angelo and made many new friends she would cherish for life. In 1980 she met the love of her life, Ron Bell. They were married in August of 1981 and they shared 33 beautiful years together. She loved her life and was fortunate to have family in England, Canada, and San Angelo.
For Mavis nursing was not just a profession or career, it was her calling. Every day she was faithful to the Nightingale Pledge: she loyally endeavored to aid the physicians in their work and devoted herself to the welfare of those committed to her care. Her life of service as a Registered Nurse touched many, many patients and their families and also her colleagues - other nurses, support staff, and physicians. Mavis felt it was important to maintain and elevate nursing standards, and she was involved in the Texas Association of Peri-Anesthesia Nurses (TAPAN) where she served as past president of District 9, and various other state and national nursing associations. During Shannon’s 75th Anniversary celebration Mavis is quoted as saying “The friendly people made her feel at home” and that “Medicine in England was practiced the same as in San Angelo, only the hospitals were arranged differently.” She is also quoted as saying that Shannon “was ahead of its time by offering private rooms” and that she was “very proud to have worked for Shannon.” Mavis retired from Shannon Medical Center on January 31, 2007 after more than 35 years of dedicated service as an RN-C,CPAN.
In 1973, Mavis was a founding member of the Daughters of the British Empire (DBE) San Angelo, TX Chapter. The DBE is a non-profit society promoting friendship and fun with other women while raising funds for worthwhile charities, including the assisted living home, Mountbatten House in Houston, TX.
Mavis and her husband, Ron, were avid supporters of Angelo State University. They were Century Club members and attended most of the sporting events. They have established Scholarships at ASU for Nursing and ROTC.
Mavis cared deeply about the hungry in San Angelo, she served as the Board Secretary for Project Dignidad, an ecumenical ministry that provides food in emergency situations to individuals and families.
She loved the Lord and she was an active member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, having served on the Altar Guild and the Vestry, and as a delegate to the Diocesan Convention.
Growing up so close to Liverpool, England, it is only natural that Mavis was a fan of The Beatles. Her favorite songs included “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “Twist and Shout”. Mavis was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband Ron.
She is survived by her brother George Clarkson and wife Valerie, of Wrexham, North Wales; her sister Pat (Clarkson) Sweeney and her husband, Jim, of Nanaimo, British Columbia and nephews Michael Sweeney, of Alberta, Canada and Andrew Sweeney and his wife, Lisa, of Vancouver, British Columbia; her niece Susan Clarkson and partner Paul, of Ruthin, North Wales; and her nephew, David Clarkson and his wife Jo, of Mold, North Wales. Mavis is also survived by numerous other great nieces and nephews, other family members and close friends.
Special thanks go to all her wonderful caregivers from Comfort Keepers, especially Ashley Tristan, Maria Guadarrama, Dora Terrazas, and Virginia Torres.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Heart Association.
Mavis loved poetry and was always ready with an appropriate quote. Here is one more:
"The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention." ~ Oscar Wilde