Patricia Howes Bell, 71, formerly of Harney Road in Emmitsburg, died Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at Gettysburg Hospital.

In accordance with Ms. Bell's wishes, there will be no funeral . A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, at Emmitsburg United Presbyterian Church, 415 W. Main St., Emmitsburg, with the Rev. Dr. Peter Keith officiating. Inurnment will be private.

Ms. Bell, was the daughter of the late Rev. John B. Howes and Elizabeth Fisher Howes. After spending her childhood in Tennessee and Kentucky, where her father served as a minister in various churches, the family moved to Maryland and Dr. Howes became a seminary professor at Wesley Seminary in Westminster.

Ms. Bell earned bachelor's and master's degrees from American University, Washington. She subsequently married Douglas Bell and they joined The Peace Corps, spending some time in Afghanistan. The marriage ended in divorce.

For many years, Ms. Bell taught high school English and then took early retirement in 1991 to take care of her parents, who were in ill health.

An accomplished musician, Ms. Bell attended the renowned Interlochen Music Camp while in high school, playing the violin in their orchestra for several summers. She also sang in many groups, including The Washington Choral arts Society, performing at The Kennedy Center on many occasions. In recent years, she was a member and soloist in the choir at Emmitsburg Presbyterian Church. She also served as a dedicated volunteer at the Seton Center.

Ms. Bell was also known for her editorial and proofreading skills, serving as proofreader for the Emmitsburg Dispatch and its successor publication, The Emmitsburg News-Journal, and as editor of the bulletin of the Presbyterian Church of Emmitsburg.

She was an elder at the Emmitsburg Presbyterian Church and also served as treasurer for the Council of Churches.

Survivors include her cousin, Cindy (and Earl) Quillen, of Cowpens, S.C., and their daughters, Courtney Roberts of LaPlata and Kim of New Orleans, La., and cousins, Donald Fisher of Michigan and Gary Butz and Rhonda Mack of Ohio and Paul Sanford of California; also several other cousins.

To make a donation in Ms. Bell's memory, call The Nature Conservancy at 1-800-628-6860.