Doris Joan "Nanabel" Belson

Doris Joan “Nanabel” Belson, born in St. Helier, Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands in the English Channel, passed away on Thursday, April 19, 2018, at 100 years old. Raised in Leeds, England, “Nanabel,” as her great-grandchildren affectionately called her, lived in Liverpool during WWII. She was a warrior of a lady whose frugal nature was forged in the privation of The Great Depression and WWII’s Battle of Britain. After the war, with their children, Nanabel and her husband Denny left England and struck out to see the world. In the span of 30 years, their wanderlust saw them making homes first in, Limerick, Ireland, then on to Lachute, Quebec and the outskirts of Vancouver, Canada. From there they threw their net across “The Pond” to the suburbs of Sydney, Australia, then back to Vancouver, and eventually they moved to San Diego, California where they lived until 1978, and then finally settled in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Nanabel worked a variety of jobs over the years. Among her favorites was as a receptionist for 11 years at the University of San Diego, California – she quickly became a motherly confidante to many of its students. It could be said though; her ideal job was that of secretary- receptionist at Gulf Islands National Seashore Park in Ocean Springs from 1992 to her retirement in 2002. She felt very bonded to the staff there and it was a mutual love and kinship in return. In fact, in 1993, she was honored with “Woman of the Year” which she treasured all her days thereafter. Within 6 months of her retirement from Gulf Islands National Seashore Park, Nanabel got antsy, so she became a Pink Lady volunteer with the Ocean Springs Hospital Auxiliary. She cherished her time with such a valued organization and ended her 6-year tenure when she turned 90. Despite her more leisurely pace after her stint with the Pink Ladies, Nanabel was not the sort to lounge around in a housecoat. She dressed up daily and fussed that her hair was always kept well-coiffed. She was an avid reader and especially loved history and politics. And she could cook – she loved making one of England’s most classic meals; Shepherd’s Pie. A member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Parish since her arrival in Ocean Springs, Nanabel spent her remaining years as a quiet though determined “Prayer Warrior” for her faith. Always disciplined and never one to waste time, she recited the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Rosary each day, read scripture, and rounded off her daily devotion to her faith by praying for family, friends, country, and the world; that peace and harmony ever prevail. Nanabel is survived by her daughter, Denise J. Wilson of Ocean Springs; her son, Anthony David Belson and his wife Elaine of Gulfport; 6 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren. She will be missed not only by her family, but her extended family of friends, all of whom she fondly engaged in her very full century of life. Nanabel was a very pragmatic lady; she'd rather no flowers but donations made to: the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Ocean Springs. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 28, 2018 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Friends may visit one hour prior. Private interment will be held at a later date. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.