Bessie Amelia Bell Strine, age 98, passed away on October 30, 2013. She was the wife of H. Glenn Strine (Peck), who died July 15, 1995. They were married 61 years. Born February 22, 1915, in Ijamsville, Maryland, she was the daughter of the late Clyde S. Bell and Bessie Amelia Umberger Bell. She was the last of her immediate family and was preceded in death by six siblings: William Bell, Benjamin Bell, Evelyn Bell Moberly, Margaret Bell, Mary Bell Snyder and Katherine Bell Beachly. She graduated in 1932 from Frederick High School which was the old Elm Street School (which is now the site of the Frederick Memorial Hospital parking deck) and began working as a secretary to Judge Edward S. Delaplaine. She later worked for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Frederick until 1939. In the 1950's, she was a teacher's aide at the Fort Detrick Nursery School until her husband opened Frederick Tool and Die; and then became his secretary. Her hobbies include homemaking, baking, canning, gardening and crocheting. She was a life-long, active member of Calvary United Methodist Church, having served as Chairman of the Administrative Board, Work Area in Evangelism and Education, Board of Trustees and Worship, Altar, Property and We Care Committees. She was the Secretary to the Administrative Board and President of The Women's Society of Christian Service as well as various Ad Hoc committees. She taught in the Sunday school elementary department for 40 plus years. Mrs. Strine served as Worthy Matron in Frederick Chapter No. 79, Order of the Eastern Star and also served as Star Points. At the time, she and her father were the only daughter and father couple to serve together in the Eastern Star in the State of Maryland. She was a former member of the Demolay Mothers. She is survived by her daughter Bonnie, son Howard and wife Nancy all of Frederick; grandsons Rusty Strine and wife Sharon of Wolfsville, MD, Wayne Strine and wife Carol of Street, MD; great-grandchildren: Colin Strine and wife Nui of Thailand, Megan Strine Clemson and husband Jon of Smithsburg, MD, Austin Strine of Wolfsville, MD, Garrett and Greer Strine of Street, MD; two great great grandsons: Travis Clemson and Thanabordee Potijun Strine. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Special thanks go out to the staff of Frederick Memorial Hospital (Emergency Room and 3G), North Hampton Manor Nursing Home, and to Mrs. Jean Heims, who assisted in her care at home. The family will receive friends from 3-5 & 7-9 on Friday, November 1, 2013 at the Keeney & Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church Street, Frederick. Funeral services will be held at 10 am on Saturday, November 2, 2013 from the Calvary United Methodist Church, 133 West Second Street, Frederick. The Rev. Alice Ford, pastor of the church, will officiate. Interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick. In lieu of flowers, the family request honoring Bessie's long Sunday School teaching career by sending memorial contributions to the Sunday School of Calvary United Methodist Church, 133 W. 2nd Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701 or to Hospice of Frederick County, PO Box 1799, Frederick, Maryland 21702 or the American Heart Association Memorials & Tributes, P. O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058. Online condolences may be shared at keeneybasford.com.
