Judith A. "Judie" Bell-Dorman

Judith (Judie & known as ‘alice’) A. Bell-Dorman, age 84, of Rock Creek, died Saturday, April 25, 2026 at her home.

Born February 21, 1942, in Geneva, Ohio, Judie was the daughter of Raymond and Elsie (Fanslow) Coates. She graduated from Geneva High School in 1960. She also was a graduate of the former Dyke College, majoring and being certified in Legal Stenography and Legal Assistant. She was also one of the first NE Ohio female graduates of the Ohio Peace Officer’s Academy. In California she took on an exciting new direction in law enforcement called Crime Prevention. Following much training she received certification through the State of California and the Commonwealth of Virginia, to successfully become a Certified Crime Prevention Specialist, serving with the Martinez Police Department, California and the Fairfax County Police Department, Virginia. In addition, she was certified as an International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioner.
Her chosen field for the last 15 years out of 30 years of law enforcement was in Crime Prevention and she received many awards for her programs, community involvement and Neighborhood Watch achievements, including her own cable TV show in California for training citizens in Neighborhood Watch. Prior to retirement she served several years as President of the Prince William County Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association and was a member of the National Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association. She genuinely loved teaching the citizens of her district in California and then Virginia about Neighborhood Watch, Personal Safety, etc. And even after moving in retirement to Pennsylvania, her Virginia NW captains stayed in touch. That, plus having possession of the famous beautifully restored seized Camaro in Fairfax County gave her many memories of those years.
Her career in the field of law included her work in law offices in Geneva and Chardon, Ohio, specializing in Probate Court, and she was for five years a Deputy Clerk with the Ashtabula County Juvenile Court, and served five years as Clerk of Court of the Western County District Court, in Geneva, Ohio.
She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Lutheran Church, Sharon, PA, serving with the Altar Guild. In each of her church memberships in Ohio, California, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, she was actively involved in Altar Guild service, as well as serving on the church councils. In her retirement years in Pennsylvania, she became interested in hospice work, and after training, became a hospice volunteer.
In 2020 with her husband, Col. Dorman, she finally made it back ‘home’ to Ashtabula County, Ohio, in Rock Creek, back in easy touch with her classmates and friends. Although her older years included a disability, it did not stop her ability to always be on the go, and into excitement of some kind, sneaking trips to Madsen’s Donuts when they were open, sliding over to Greenville, Pennsylvania to check on friends over there, etc.
It has been said that Judie had hundreds of friends but more appropriately she was a friend to hundreds. Each person she met, if only for mere minutes, had value in her life and they intuitively knew she was someone who would listen compassionately, offer a hug unconditionally, and she always hoped she sent them on their way feeling someone cared about them. She leaves them hoping others also will show kindness and mercy. She also leaves her friends, all her “alices” and especially her cousin Sandy, who figured out quickly, life around Judie was never boring. And awaiting Judie wherever she will be her buddy and stalwart walking companion, Miss Ellie, who graced the Dorman household for seven years dying tragically in 2019 despite all Grammy’s efforts to help her.

Judie married Ralph T. Dorman, Lt. Col. USAF Ret. in Fairfield, CA on December 9, 1983 and with him began a new chapter of life, living in multiple states, becoming involved in multiple ventures. Surviving her is her daughter, Lisbeth (Betsy) A. Bell, the ultimate stunning achievement of her life with her former husband Milo J. Bell. Also surviving are her two grandchildren, the lights of her life, Katharine (Katie) J. G Bell of Leesburg, VA and U.S. Navy Intel Specialist, Jonathan Bell. Also surviving are her stepdaughters, Jennifer Dorman Hephner of Maryland and Rebecca Dorman Weaver of Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister, Elissa R. Coates.

Memorial contributions may be made to (Strayhaven Shelter in Greenville, PA).
Native American Prayer
I give you this one thought to keep –
I am with you still – I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awake in the morning’s hush
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not think of me as gone –
I am with you still – in each new dawn.

The Behm Family Funeral Home of Geneva is assisting the family at this time.
Online obituary and condolences may be viewed at www.behmfuneral.com