MARGARET Edith (Madge) Bell, who died on August 25 in her 94th year, was a daughter of Sir Thomas Bell, one-time director of John Brown (shipbuilders), and after her mother's death undertook duties at her father's side, particularly at launches.
Her first home was in Auchentoshan, where she was born in 1903, then she lived for many years in Helensburgh and finally at Geilston House, Cardross, where she joined her friend of many years, the late Miss Elizabeth Hendry, in 1969. The friendship began in 1927 and never faltered; they shared many interests, not least the Guide Association. Both served in Dunbartonshire Guides, and Madge Bell, appropriately, for some time as a commissioner in Clydebank.
She was an ambulance driver during the wartime raids on Clydebank before joining the land army.
For many years Madge was an active golfer, a member of Cardross Club ladies' team, she also played in the Dun-bartonshire County ladies team. Other interests included gardening, bird-watching, and all country pursuits. It was from Dunbartonshire that Glasgow Guiding enlisted Madge Bell as county commissioner in 1963, where she served until 1970, thereafter becoming a county vice-president.
It was a busy period in Glasgow Guiding, including the opening of the Campsite, Achachairdeis (Field of Friendship) at Gartocharn in 1964, and the building of the Napier (Brownie) House in 1968 on part of the campsite.
During the 1960s a working party at Guide Commonwealth Headquarters produced a report which laid foundations for major changes in the association which took place in 1968. Glasgow planned in advance with a major conference in 1967 attended by more than 900 Glasgow Guiders.
All major events in the county were given support and encouragement by Madge Bell. She and Miss Hendry often arrived at the campsite with large baskets of home-baked scones for campers.
Throughout her time as county commissioner Miss Bell was a willing listener to anyone with a problem, a thoughtful and wise counsellor. It could truly be said of her, in the words of an old Guide Law, that ''she was a friend to all and a sister to every other Guide''.
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