Cleopatra Y. Bell

Rochester, NY:  Cleo joined her ancestors on April 27, 2021 after her heart could no longer valiantly fight for life. Born in the parish of Hanover, Jamaica, to Beryl and Edwin Gilpin, Cleo also known as “Cissy”, would have celebrated 82 years of life this year. She emigrated from Jamaica to Rochester, New York in 1968 and lived the life of many immigrants to America: working many jobs while earning an Associate’s degree in Accounting at Monroe Community College, and raising her children long distance with the help of family and close friends. Cleo was a strong woman of faith, wisdom and quiet good cheer. She was a member of the Episcopalian Church of the Ascension, where she served on the Altar Guild and volunteered at MEEK, a local food pantry. Cleo nurtured and championed her children and their friends to be independent, self-reliant and welcoming to others as global extensions of her family.

She leaves behind devoted daughters Natasha and Andrea, beloved grandson Douglas, siblings, brothers and sisters-in-law, dear friends, nieces, nephews and many children and grandchildren of her heart. Heaven now has another angel-warrior who will continue to be our conscience in the quiet moments of our lives.

A memorial celebration of Cleo’s life will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 11a.m. at the Church of the Ascension, 2 Riverside Street, Rochester, NY 14613. Her cremains will be interred in the Memory Garden of the church. A brief reception will be held in the church hall immediately following the service.

Congregants are respectfully asked to please wear a mask if you have not been fully vaccinated against the COVID virus.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Church of the Ascension, (https://www.ascensionroch.org/) or to the American Heart Association (https://www.heart.org/).