At its annual Christmas party held recently, West Vue honored two of its former board members, Newt Brill and Mark Bell, both of whom died this year.
Brill, a well known local attorney, was elected to the board in 1965 and was soon chosen to serve as its chairman, a role he held until until 2013. He continued to be active on the board until his death in October. Brill was instrumental in guiding West Vue through its initial stages of opening Howell County’s first nursing home in 1965 and then West Vue’s growth and expansion to serve the local senior community, officials shared.
West Vue staff and board members expressed their appreciation for Brill’s leadership, vision and dedication of more than 58 years during the Dec. 11 celebration, by presenting an award to his son Joel Brill, representing his mother Carolyn Brill and sisters Julia Frohlich and Margaret Tao, who were unable to attend.
Mark Bell was also honored during the festive occasion for his distinguished service to West Vue. Bell was elected to the board in 2011 and continued to serve until his death in July. Bell was a well-known and respected businessman, owning and managing Bell’s Body Shop for 42 years, said officials, adding he is remembered for always putting the needs of West Vue’s residents first, passionately serving as chair of West Vue’s Building and Grounds Committee, and generously giving of his time to fulfill that responsibility.
In appreciation of Bell’s faithful service for 12 years and his contributions to West Vue’s continued expansion, West Vue staff and board members presented an award to his children Jacob Bell and Mandy Harrison, representing their mother Marilyn Bell, who was unable to attend.
West Vue has grown from an initial 100-bed skilled nursing home in 1965 to a 130-bed skilled nursing facility which includes three state-of-the-art Green House homes, offering skilled care, private rooms and private baths for 10 residents in each house.
Since 1965, West Vue has expanded its ministry to the senior community by opening 35 low-income apartments in 1983, a licensed 48-unit residential care facility in 1987 and 72 independent living apartments in the 1990s and 2000s.
For more information about West Vue’s services to seniors, contact the main offices at 210 Davis Drive or call 417-256-2152.
