Ann Richardson Bell

Ann Richardson Bell peacefully passed away on December 27, 2018 after a courageous battle with ALS. Throughout her illness, she remained positive, upbeat, and highly interested in all her Denver sports teams, the news, and country western music. She recently received a letter from Richard Montfort, Owner/Chairman and CEO of the Rockies, thanking her for being a terrific fan and encouraging her to remain strong.

Ann was born in Belleville, Illinois to Air Force Colonel James C. Richardson Sr. and Lillian Hill Richardson and lived in Nevada, Missouri before attending the University of Missouri where she earned her B.S. in Library Sciences and Elementary Education.

Ann was a devoted and passionate teacher. Ann began her teaching career in Jefferson County, Colorado in 1965 at Lasley Elementary. She was also the librarian at the American School on the Rhine at the American Embassy in Bonn, Germany, and an elementary teacher at an army base in Kaiserslautern, Germany. She taught at numerous schools in Sydney, Australia, and after immersing herself in Montessori training and teaching at Denver Montessori School and in Perth, Western Australia, Ann started her own Montessori School in Lakewood, Colorado. She opened the Montessori Academy of Bear Creek which served preschool to elementary students for a 27-year period. Ann spent over 46 years teaching. After retirement, Ann tutored students and volunteered at several local nursing homes.

Ann met her husband, R. John Bell, in Denver, Colorado. He left to serve in Viet Nam and Ann went to teach in Bonn, Germany. They reunited in Germany when John was transferred to Ramstein Air Base. In May of 1970, they were married in Basel, Switzerland. Ann was widely traveled, desired international living and frequently joined John at his job-sites in Europe, Australia, and South America.

Ann is survived by her husband John and daughters, Samantha Hollman of Arvada, CO and Dr. Rebecca Branstetter of Lafayette, CA. Both her daughters followed Ann in her field of education: Samantha, as a school principal and Rebecca as a school psychologist/consultant. Ann doted on her four grandchildren Jack, Allie, Ainsley and Scarlett.

A Celebration of Life will be held in her honor at Our Savior’s Corner of Hope Church,1975 S. Garrison St., Lakewood, CO 80227 on Saturday, February 2nd at 10AM. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Ann to the ALS Association, alsa.org.