'Great friend' of Addison passes after fighting cancer

Joan Bell is being remembered as a "great friend" of Addison.

Bell was the executive director of the Addison Chamber of Commerce from 1982 to 1988. She remained an active member of Addison's community events -- even after moving to Wood Dale.

Don Weiss, who knew Bell for 25 years, said her heart was always with Addison.

"The chamber of commerce was her life (and) she believed in it very strongly," he said. "She always felt a closeness to Addison and always was very supportive of the community and its goals."

Bell passed away earlier this week after battling lung cancer. Visitation and services are private.

During her time at the chamber of commerce, Bell developed Addison Community Television's show "Meet the Candidates," which still is popular during election seasons. She also started "Spotlight on Business," a show that's evolved into "Around Town," and remains successful.

"Joan got behind everything that was going on in the community," said Weiss, Addison's director of community relations. "She helped people, and she always took an interest in what was going on in Addison,"

Bell raised her family in Addison and lived in the village for 35 years.

She worked at the Addison Township assessor's office for many years.

Judy Kulpa, a deputy assessor for Addison Township, knew Bell for 20 years.

Kulpa said she admired her friend's smile, humor and perseverance.

"She was a sweetheart, and there was no one better than her," Kulpa said. "If you needed a shoulder, she was there."

Addison's Mayor Larry Hartwig said Bell was a regular at community events.

"She was always a positive person, always looking on the bright side and for thing to be improved," he said. "Even when she stepped down as the director of the chamber, she continued to be very active in the community."