Karen Bell

After 75 years of advocacy, kindness, guidance and love, Karen Bell passed away with family by her side in Spokane, WA on May 31, 2026. Born January 25, 1951 to Genoah and Warren Wilcutt, Karen was raised in Pueblo, Colorado with her 2 older sisters and twin brother. She graduated from East Valley High School, where she enjoyed playing softball and being a drum major. She went on to obtain a Bachelor's degree in Education at Abilene Christian University, afterwards becoming an English and P.E. teacher.

Karen met the love of her life, Tom, in 1982. In 1983 they married and Tom became the step-father to Karen’s children from previous marriages. In 1985 they welcomed their first and only daughter. As an air force family they were fortunate to stay stationed in mostly one location, Edwards A.F.B, CA. At Desert H.S. Karen earned the official nickname of ‘Coach Bell’ helping guide young athletes by coaching almost every sport offered. She was particularly fond of softball and treasured her time as the DHS Varsity softball Coach. 

When Tom retired from the Air Force in 1997, they relocated to Spokane, WA, where Karen's sister Judith and oldest son lived. In Spokane she became involved in multiple neighborhood programs and committees. A strong advocate for people's access to water and children's swim safety, Karen volunteered with both the N.W. Neighborhood and Parks Board to develop splash pads for all major Spokane parks. Ensuring children, regardless of swim ability, had access to clean, cool water during hot summer months. With the help of the children in her neighborhood she helped design the first splash pad, installed at Shadle Park in 2005.

Karen was also deeply passionate about gardening, cooking, the Denver Broncos, the Gonzaga Bulldogs, and building community. She went beyond being a neighbor, becoming the Grandma of Broad St. Establishing traditions, teaching neighborhood children to bake, swim, and garden, and ensuring anyone within a 5 house radius knew that she had enough banana bread for all. 

She is reunited in the stars with her parents, sister & brother-in-law Judith and James Gilmore, and son, Derek Smith.

She leaves behind her husband of 42 years, Tom Bell. Her children and their spouses Joshua & Sarah Bibby, Jenna & David Carroll. Her grandchildren Astraya and Cassius Bibby, Willow Carroll, Bella and Lexi Bibby. The Broad Street Gang - The Horn, Kupko, Beers, Meyer, Sweeney, Murphy, and Porter families. Her nephew and niece and many, many students and bonus kids and grandkids.

Her family and neighbors plan to hold a memorial gathering at the family home on Broad street on August 8th at 3:00 p.m. and invites anyone who knew and loved Karen to come and celebrate the amazing life she had. 

She was an incredibly tenacious woman who held firmly to her beliefs that we should treat others with kindness and do what we can to make the world a slightly better place. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, you go out and meet your neighbors. Find a way to make the immediate world around you a little bit better. And for the love of everything, please VOTE.