Joanne Bell

Joanne Bell, a resident of Torrance, California, passed away peacefully on August 2, 2022 at the age of 89. She was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on September 10, 1932 to John J. Beltrandi and Mary Concetta (Pesci) Beltrandi. She was the eldest of 4 siblings and is predeceased by her sister, Harriett Beltrandi, brother, John Beltrandi Jr., and sister, Susan Beltrandi.

Joanne grew up in Agawam, Massachusetts and earned her nursing degree from Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing in Boston in 1955. She moved to California with her mother and siblings in 1956. Joanne worked as a nurse at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, Kaiser Permanente in Harbor City, and San Pedro Peninsula Hospital in San Pedro. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Comparative Literature from California State University Long Beach in 1985. Joanne then joined the Pacific Presbytery as a Hunger Action Enabler working to develop and support programs for food assistance and to provide aid to the homeless across Southern California from 1984 until she retired in 1995.

Joanne was the loving mother of David (Linda) Kranz and Kimberly Kranz, and grandmother of Nicholas Kranz and Emiko Kranz.

Our sincerest thanks to the staff of the Arlington Post Guest Home who cared for Joanne over the last 3 years.

A private service will be held for family members and close friends. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Canyon Verde, a program that Joanne held very dear to her heart, and is attended by her daughter, Kimberly Kranz, that provides innovative choices for adults with special needs. Donations may be sent to Canyon Verde, 2761 190th Street, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 in memory of Joanne Bell.