Jocelyn Jane Reid Bell (Pape)

January 24,1934 – May 3, 2014

Joce (Jo) Pape sadly passed away May 3, 2014 peacefully at her home on Mercer Island at the age of 80.

She was loved daughter of Harry and Alva Bell, and loving sister of Karen. Born in Auckland, New Zealand, she leaves many wonderful friends and family. She attended school at St. Anne’s, in Takapuna, Campbells Bay NZ and later attended Auckland University College. She moved to the US after meeting Ted Pape in her early twenties when they were both working for Sandwell Company in NZ. They married and eventually settled on Mercer Island in 1960. Jo was an independent thinker and chose to have her last two children at home; with Ted the Attending.

She will be remembered for her adventurous and generous spirit and love of travel and the natural world which she instilled in her children. She was an avid sailor and pioneered women’s sailing in the Pacific Northwest. Well known for single-handed sailing on Thunderbird’s, she won numerous races on Lake Washington and Puget Sound. She raced in the Adams Cup Nationals and was a United States Yacht Racing Union judge, the first woman given this title on the west coast. Jo was a life time member of Corinthian Yacht Club. Her working years she was involved in construction of many local roadways. Jo had an endless curiosity about both weather and astronomy. An avid reader, she spent many hours studying both the scientific and spiritual worlds. She attended Unity Church for over twenty years and was a student of the Course of Miracles. We will miss her long engaging stories and reflections as well as her deep love and respect for life; the natural world and for humanity.

Jo is survived by her sister Karen of Auckland, NZ, her nephew Hamish and three nieces Jo, Ellen and Fiona and their families. She leaves her beloved children, Chrissy Pape Burnell (Ken), Tim (Dain) Pape, Andrea Pape Rose (Steve) and Jeremy Pape (Christine). She leaves several grandchildren: Ariel, Josh, Ari, Harrison, Jules, Kylie, Sierra and one great grandchild Aspen Belle with another soon to arrive.

A celebration of life will be held on Marrowstone Island July 5. For inquiries please contact Chrissy Burnell.