Always there to help others
June 23, 2023
‘Our Centerpiece’: The Chapman house could not function without Lashuanty at the center of it all
June 26, 2023
“There is literally nothing Kim wouldn’t do for her kids and grandkids,” said Kim Bell’s husband Kurt Losel. This is the perfect endorsement of beloved mother, grandmother and wife Kim Bell that shows not only her husband’s affection for her after almost 15 years of marriage (and 20 years together), but why she has been such a positive force in her children’s and grandchildren’s lives.
It all began when Kim was born in Buffalo, NY on October 3rd, 1966, to her parents Dennis and Laureine Bell. Kim faced tragedy early in life when she lost both her parents before the age of seven, but this only made her resolve in caring for others and fostering meaningful relationships even stronger.
She was raised by her aunt Sharon, who she now calls mom and eventually met the man of her dreams in Kurt. Kurt couldn’t be more infatuated with Kim 20 years after they met.
“She is the most real, genuine person I’ve ever met, and she doesn’t have a fake bone in her body. If you are family or friend she will always, without fail, have your back,” said Kurt. “She is loving, compassionate, giving, sarcastic and funny. She’s the most beautiful woman, inside and out.”
Not only is she admired by her husband, but by her grandchildren, 8-year-old Deklan, 1-year-old Quinn and 1-year-old Cole, as well as her children and stepchildren, 20-year-old Justin, 28-year-old Ashley, 35-year-old Korey and 36-year-old Brandy. Her affection for her children doesn’t go unnoticed, which is reflected and reciprocated in the way they admire her wonderful qualities.
“My mom means the world to me. She makes me want to be the best man I can be to make her proud,” said Korey. “All those sacrifices she made so I could play hockey as a kid didn’t go unnoticed.”
“My mom is everything to me. She’s there through the good and the bad and I know there isn’t one thing I could say to make her feel differently about me,” said Ashley. “Not many people have that kind of relationship with their mom, and I have been grateful for that since I was old enough to realize how lucky I am. We talk about everything under the sun, no matter how small. No topic is off limits and that makes it one of the most rewarding relationships to have.”
“What can you say about the woman who gave you life? Since birth, she was the only constant in my life. No matter what came our way Mom remained our foundation, our guide, our protector,” said Brandy. “In what can be such a cold, dark world, words cannot describe what a blessing it is to have been raised by such a strong, beautiful intelligent woman.”
“Kim means the world to me. I don’t know where I would be without her help through some difficult times,” said Justin. “Even though Kim is my stepmom she has treated me like her own son. When I asked her and my dad if I could move in with them she didn’t hesitate to say yes and made me feel welcome.”
Kim has clearly given her all to her family and they couldn’t be more appreciative of her unconditional love and effort to give them the best life ever. Kim remarkably still has time for her own hobbies as well including working in her gardens with her potted plants that she refers to as “her babies.”
She also enjoys yoga and bike rides. She also works as a Finance Manager in Williamsville, New York. Even while working and giving so much to her family, Kim’s favorite hobby is spending time with her grandchildren.
“She loves the grandkids as if they were her own. She would do anything in the world for them or any of us,” said Korey. “The moment she sees Cole, I see her face light up. It’s that unconditional grandma love.”
“Becoming a grandma has been one of the most incredible experiences for her. If you spend five minutes with her and her grandbabies it’s clear that she is in her happy place,” said Ashely. “She lights up the second they enter the room. Her relationships with them mean the world to her and you can tell she was meant for this role.”
“Her love for my children surpasses what I ever could have dreamed, and they know she is a safe place for them – as do I,” said Brandy.
Even Deklan, Brandy’s son and Kim’s grandson, has wonderful things to say about Kim.
“She loves me a lot. She gets me spoiled. She’s very nice,” said Deklan. “She’s very sweet. She takes care of me if I get hurt and she gets me cookies!”
Kim has clearly transitioned her incredible motherly instincts into the next generation as well. This is part of the reason that her husband Kurt admires her so deeply.
“Kim is absolutely one of the best people I have ever met. She’s just kind, generous and unselfish, but most of all she is genuine,” said Kurt. “You will never have any doubts as to where you stand with her. She’s definitely the best mother and grandmother I have ever seen.”
Kurt wanted to get to know Kim better from the first moment he met her. This led to a developing friendship and as they spent more time together Kurt eventually knew that Kim was the one.
They met through a mutual friend who thought they both had the same twisted sense of humor. Kurt even remembers the first time he met her for lunch at Urlich’s Tavern, she was wearing a long black skirt, a black tank top and a long blue coat.
They have created many memories together, including their voyages to Jamaica, but Kurt’s favorite memories are being at their family gatherings and seeing how she positively impacts each of her kids and grandkids so effortlessly. Part of the ways in which she positively impacts her family is through the lessons she teaches them.
“[She teaches me] that it’s ok to just be myself,” said Kurt. “[She teaches me] that it’s okay if you sometimes fail, you just can’t give up [and] that it’s okay to love and be loved.”
“Kim has taught me to always stand up for myself and what I feel is right,” said Justin.
“My mom has taught me that time with my family is more valuable than any amount of money,” said Korey. “She also taught me the importance of family by going out of her way to host events just to get us all together. But the most important thing in life is simple: just be a good person.”
“My mom taught me how to be a strong, confident woman. I am decisive and always stand up for what I believe in, which I attribute to growing up with such a solid support system,” said Ashley. “I have learned to find the humor in all things, and because of her I know there is nothing in life I can’t get through.”
“There is not enough time to express all that she has taught me, but one thing she has helped me learn is how to be myself, unequivocally and unapologetically,” said Brandy. “As I watch my children grow, I see how she not only taught me how to be a good mom but also how to be a good person and maybe more importantly – how to raise good people too.”
Clearly, there is nothing Kim wouldn’t do for the betterment of her family and on this Mother’s Day, her family couldn’t be more appreciative, and excited for more wonderful times ahead.
