Helen F. Graves-Bell, 93, of Nampa, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008, surrounded by family and loved ones.
    Helen was born June 27, 1915, in Chicago to James H. and Nellie B. Harvey-Graves, the second of four daughters. She was raised in Melba, Idaho, where she enjoyed working on the family farm and trapping coyotes with her grandfather, George. Helen graduated from Melba High School in 1933. During high school she was active in athletics, playing basketball and baseball and would prove to have a life-long competitive spirit, most noticeably on the golf course. Upon her high school graduation, Helen attended Links School of Business in Boise. She then began work for Idaho Power Co. in Nampa where she met her husband Tom Bell. They were married in 1937 and were blessed with two daughters and a son. Helen was a lifetime member of Broadmore Country Club where she spent many happy hours with friends and family and won numerous golfing awards. Helen will be remembered for her sense of humor, quick wit and often sassy but loving personality.
    Helen is survived by her sister, Mary Thomson of Sun City West, Ariz., daughter, Patricia (Richard) Foster of Caldwell, daughter, Sandra Bell of Nampa, son John (Kris) Bell of Nampa, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Tom, her parents, and sisters Geraldine Cruse and Eleanor Grant.
    Thank you to the many people who loved Helen, including her loyal golf and bridge friends and the ladies who helped care for her these past years.