Jackie Bell died tragically in 2013 at age 71. Instead of dwelling on her murder, her friends and family members have kept her spirit of caring, support, and philanthropy alive. They created a scholarship in her honor at Portland State University School of Business. In the past 10 years, the Jackie Bell Endowed Scholarship has gifted more than $65,000 to 19 students.
Those who created the scholarship wanted it to reflect Bell’s life. The recipients are all single parents in need of financial support who have good academic standing, just like Bell was when she attended PSU. The fund has thus also positively impacted the lives of about 30 children.
“This scholarship is her. It’s a reflection of her, her life and her values,” said her good friend, Jim Pestillo, who helped create the fund.
“Scholarship support opens doors for Portland State students, especially those for whom a PSU education will be the chance of a lifetime,” said Katie Paolacci, Associate Director of Development at the School of Business. “The creation of a scholarship is one of the most meaningful ways to support students in our community. Doing so in honor of a loved one is a tremendous way to celebrate their life and legacy.”
The Jackie Bell Endowed Scholarship currently awards two $4,000 gifts annually. That covers nearly half of PSU’s full-time tuition. One of the recipients said the scholarship means much more to her than just money.
“To me, it means that the universe and people are looking out for me, and also want me to succeed and reach my goals,” said the recipient, a mother of two.
PSU Laid Foundation for Career Success
Bell was a single mother in her 20s when she attended PSU. She went to school during the day. At night she worked at a tech company, which paid part of her tuition.
Bell took the advice of a PSU instructor and majored in accounting, becoming one of the first women to earn a business degree at the university, said Pestillo.
“That was her big break. She credited Portland State for her career success,” he said.
And what a success it was. She worked at the City of Portland as an auditor and then as a CPA at a local accounting firm. She later joined PacificCorp where she rose to become its corporate controller in 1989 (she retired in 1998).
Bell often used her accounting skills to help numerous local and national nonprofit groups. She served on several boards including The Brain Research Awareness and Information Network, Planned Parenthood, National Organization for Women, and the Portland State University Alumni Board.
“Jackie was caring -- and she put that caring into action. She did not ask, ‘What can I do?’ She just did it,” said her friend, Dolores Chenoweth, who also helped start the fund.
Bell’s son, Alex, remembers his mom as a hardworking, caring parent who was intelligent, fun, and supportive. Despite her busy school and work schedule, the young mother always found time for the two to attend Blazer games, exercise, and watch Sunday night television together, he said.
A Well-Rounded Life
“She enjoyed music, arts, reading, and civil rights. She was always well read and up to date on everything,” he said, adding, “She had a great sense of humor. She was a wonderful person.
“I’ve never seen anyone ever receive more Christmas cards than my mom. It was just incredible. She was very well loved,” he continued. “She was always a cheerleader for all her friends. She never complained about people. She always championed their strengths.”
Bell’s other interests included playing bridge, walking, bicycling, snow skiing, philanthropy, women’s rights, and traveling with friends to many locations around the world.
Bonnie Scheeland met Bell in 2000 at a bridge club. They soon became best friends and travel partners.
“She hated to cook but she loved to entertain and host parties. She was always welcoming and warm. She didn’t have a snobby bone in her body,” said Scheeland.
When Scheeland’s husband became seriously ill, Bell visited him frequently in the hospital.
“Jackie’s voice was the only thing he could later remember [while he was in the hospital]. It was her voice that got through to him,” said Scheeland, who also helped start the scholarship.
The scholarship fund is, in a sense, Jackie’s voice, now reaching PSU students who need help in their lives.
“There is an old expression: you are not dead as long as someone speaks your name,” said Pestillo. “This scholarship is a way of keeping her name alive.”
Interested in starting a scholarship at PSU to honor a loved one? Contact Katie Paolocci at paolaccik@psuf.org.