By Shelley Hubal

If you are fortunate, someone comes into your life who inspires you to become a better version of yourself. For me, that person was Marilyn Bell – a friend, teacher and colleague.
Marilyn and I worked together for eight years running the Federation Annual Campaign. Campaign work can be slow, frustrating and overwhelming, but none of that ever seemed to bother her. She always showed up with a cheerful outlook and a readiness to roll up her sleeves and get the work done. 
Marilyn taught me to consider other perspectives and remain persistent, qualities that have never come easily to me in Campaign work. She was wonderful at analyzing problems and expected the same careful consideration from me. In short, she made me a smarter and stronger person, director and fundraiser. If I was hesitant to call a particular donor, she reminded me that we were not asking for ourselves, but for the good of the community. She understood that deeply and lived it in everything she did to strengthen the Binghamton Jewish community that she loved.
Once, I recall telling Marilyn about the simple plans my husband and I had for the summer – quiet dinners, long hikes and evenings kayaking in Whitney Point. With a glint in her eye and a gentle smile, she simply said, in the most heartfelt way, “Oh, how lovely.”
In another personal moment, Marilyn patiently listened as I shared the frustrations I was feeling with my daughter. She gently reassured me that love and patience would help heal our relationship in time. Her words brought comfort to me then, and I have carried them with me ever since.
I am deeply grateful for the time I had with Marilyn. She was smart, classy, full of chutzpah and blessed with a heart of gold. Thank you, Marilyn, for being both a friend and a teacher. I will miss you.