Bella Op’t Hof

Bella Op’t Hof ( née Mac Donald )

Bella was born November 27, 1924 in Hampton Roads, Virginia, and died on July 11, 2023 at age 98. She was the second daughter of Frank McDonald and Carrie Baake. Her sister Virginia was born before her on January 14, 1921

It was  the beginning of the Great depression, but Bella still became the epitome of a princess into her teen years and beyond. She and her sister Virginia double dated in high school. Bella had natural grace, dancing on roller-skates and singing in the choir.

Bella married her high school sweetheart Jerry Op’t Hof. The two lead a high life in their adorable log cabin at Packanack Lake. They could see the beautiful lake from the picture window in their living room with its built-in bar and baby grand piano where musical friends gathered many times to play the piano and sing.

In those years she enjoyed the glamour of sailing, skiing and ice-skating. She and Jerry owned a Lincoln Continental which was the height of luxury that they sought.

Bella was known as “ the Donut Lady “ because every Halloween she would  open the doors to generations of children who enjoyed cider and donuts on their evening rounds of trick-or-treating.

In the early 1970s, Bella and Jerry purchased 90 acres of land in northern Vermont and Jerry set to imagining and then constructing a Swiss style chalet with a giant natural stone fireplace that rose two floors opposite the grand views of the field and mountains. Bella reveled in the company that gathered there as her friends, the McCormick’s and the Hubble’s, visited often. When Gerard passed away at an early age, Bella was surrounded by her friends from church and the lake. They kept her busy. She loved going to the Papermill playhouse to see shows with her good friend Margie Smith.

When Bella turned 90, her niece and nephew threw her a party in her house in Packanack Lake where Bella directed the catering and list of guests. She had a great time!

Bella was a dedicated employee for many years. She worked in managerial positions at large companies like Cooper Labs. She took her work seriously but enjoyed it as well. In her mid-90s she sold her house at the lake and moved into the Cedar Crest Village community in Pompton Plains New Jersey. She lived independently there for a few years and at her side when she passed was her devoted friend Marge Smith who cared for and looked after Bella until her passing.