Susan Ann Bell

Susan Ann Bell (née Enk), of Saint Charles, MO, passed away Saturday, December 6, 2025 at the age of 73. Beloved wife of Kenneth Bell; cherished daughter of the late Robert and Joan Enk; devoted mother of Gary (Jessica) Bell, Stephanie (Ben) Owens, and Brian (Rebecca) Bell; loving grandmother of Lila Bell, Adelaide Bell, Connor Bell, Brendan Owens, Cooper Owens, and Max Owens; dear sister of Cindy (Tom) Strain, Sandy (Jim) Murphy, the late Diana (Don) Pettet, and the late Bob Enk; Susan is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

As the oldest of five children, Susan was a natural leader—confident, compassionate, and the one others instinctively turned to. She carried that sense of commitment and care into her marriage, sharing 54 beautiful years with her beloved husband, Ken. She dedicated 25 years to education, serving as both a teacher and a middle school principal, making a lasting and positive impact on countless students, families, and colleagues.

Her passion for helping people extended far beyond the classroom. Susan was active in her United Methodist faith community, serving as a Sunday school teacher and participating in the Kingdom House inner-city outreach program. She spent a decade as president of her neighborhood HOA, working tirelessly to bring people together and improve the place she called home.

Susan loved to travel with her family, proudly visiting all 50 states and exploring many of the country’s national parks. The mountains were her favorite—places where she found peace, adventure, and inspiration. With family always at her core, she loved bringing people together, planning gatherings that overflowed with laughter, celebration, and cherished memories. Energetic and enthusiastic, she enjoyed golfing and tennis and embraced life with a spirit that was both playful and determined.

Above all her accomplishments, Susan most cherished being a mother and grandmother. Her creativity and joyful spirit shone brightest with her grandchildren—whether gathered around the table for imaginative arts and crafts, playing card games, exploring outdoors, or cheering them on from the sidelines at their games. She loved being their playful companion and biggest supporter, and to her family she remained a source of laughter, encouragement, and unwavering love.

Even after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Susan remained devoted to making a difference. She volunteered in a research drug program at Washington University, hoping her participation could contribute to a future cure. Throughout her journey, music became a source of solace and joy, filling her days with comfort, familiarity, and love.

Susan’s legacy is reflected in the countless lives she touched—students who found confidence in her encouragement, families strengthened by her compassion, communities improved by her leadership, and friends who felt seen and valued because she cared. Like the message at the heart of her favorite movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, Susan showed that one person’s quiet acts of kindness can ripple outward in ways never fully known. Though she never sought praise or recognition, the world is undoubtedly far better because she was in it, and her influence will continue to echo through generations in ways both great and small. Her life was never about her, but about the people she lifted, loved, and inspired.

Memorials may be made in Susan's name to Alzheimer's Association - Greater Missouri Chapter.