Reine Duell's Obituary
Reine Esther Montel Duell, 88, of Fayetteville, passed away October 17, 2011, at her home, surrounded by family, while in home hospice.
She was born Reine Esther Montel August 5, 1923 in Mazamet, France. She is preceded in death by her parents David Raphaël Montel and Hélène Esther Esdra Montel, her two sisters, Elise Graziella Montel and Alice Rose Montel, and her son-in-law, Bradley Gee.
Reine enjoyed a very loving and attentive early family life provided by her parents and two older sisters. She attended grade school at the girl’s lycée Montgrand, Marseille, France. She graduated from École de Chimie Faculté des Sciences, Aix-Marseille, receiving the Diplôme de Chimie, Licence ès Sciences (equivalent to a Bachelor of Science, Industrial Chemistry).
During World War II Reine met an American soldier, Arthur Lloyd Duell, in Marseille, and after a two-year courtship they were married in Marseille on July 3, 1947. Together, they settled in America, where they became a “Greatest Generation” couple and she became the mother of an American “Baby-Boomer” family. In 1950, Reine became a naturalized U.S. citizen in Kansas City, Missouri. After residing in Kansas, Colorado, and Texas, the Duells moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas in 1959, where they have resided since. Reine is a long-time member of Central United Methodist Church in
Fayetteville.
Reine loved learning and sharing information with others. Her first job after coming to America was as an instructor of French at the University of Kansas in 1947. She also enjoyed serving as a substitute teacher at Fayetteville High School and Ramay Junior High in Fayetteville from 1965 through 1985, which is a source of many humorous stories about students, faculty, and her. She happily recalled these moments as recently as the last months of her life.
Reine was first and foremost a loving, devoted wife, and a nurturing and inspirational mother. She used all her knowledge, experience, and love in every task she addressed. She provided great support to her children in all of their respective school activities and professional careers. Her own hobbies included sewing, knitting, and needle point, canning and preserving fresh fruit which were grown in her own backyard, reading books and current events, and traveling the United States and beyond to visit various sites and numerous relatives. She was an amateur musician, familiar with standard piano literature and operatic arias. She was a patron of the arts, rarely missing an opportunity to expose her children to museums, theatres and concert halls. Reine’s delicious “Mediterranean Menu” was served to her children at every meal long before its trendy proven benefits of today.
Reine’s wonderful sense of humor and realism sustained her and others through challenging days in both France and America. Her optimistic approach to every challenge provided inspiration to her and to her family. She is a true survivor in many respects.
Reine was a charitable person, placing others before herself at home and in the world community.
Reine and her family thank all of her caregivers, friends, neighbors, and family who have lifted her in prayer.
She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Arthur L. Duell, M.D., and her eight children as follows:
Miriam and Carl Moore of Ft. Worth, TX
Michael D. Duell of Lansing, MI
Elisabeth Duell-Branly and Rolando Branly, M.D. of Miami, FL
M. LeRoy and Kim Duell of Fayetteville, AR
Josephine Gee of Centreville, VA
Paul and Jane Duell of St. Louis, MO
Charles and Diana Duell of Fayetteville, AR
James Montel Duell and Judy Montel of Beit Shemesh, Israel
She is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, many brothers in-law and sisters in-law, and a multitude of nieces and nephews, cousins in France, and a host of friends.
Her life is an example of God’s providence demonstrated through his grace. Her family is thankful for all the love and inspiration she has given to us.
A memorial service celebrating her life will be held Friday, October 21, at 11 am, at Central United Methodist Church. Interment will be private, under the direction of Moore’s Chapel.
Visitation will be Thursday, October 20th from 6:00-8:00 pm at Moore’s Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the American Bible Society, 1865 Broadway, New York, NY 10023-7505 or Washington Regional Foundation, P.O. Box 356, Fayetteville, AR. 72702
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