Elna Claire Jordan Bell departed this earth on February 25, 2021 at home in her hometown of Mason, Texas.  Claire Bell or the Widow Bell as she called herself, was born in San Antonio, Texas on March 10, 1946, and during the ensuing years traveled far and wide, but never forgot her hometown heritage or her Texas roots.  She attended St. Mary's Hall in San Antonio, then following her father's military career moved to Japan, returned to Mason for 8th grade, where she was the Valedictorian of her class.  The military then took her family to Italy, where she attended High School in Naples, boarding school in Stockholm, Sweden, and graduated high school in California.  Returning to Texas, she graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Fine Arts with Honors.

Claire was a lover of all things linguistic.  She spoke fluent Italian, pretty good Spanish, and absolutely perfect English.  The T-shirt that says "Don't mind me, I am quietly correcting your grammar" was made for Claire.  Her knowledge of the classics, both Greek and Latin, was superb, and helped her immensely when playing, and usually winning, Trivia at the Caye Caulker Sports Bar.

Claire was a lover of a good tale, and her stint as an editor for Playboy magazine in Chicago was the source of many a good yarn.  Never one to love the cold weather, Claire did not last long in Chicago, preferring the heat of a Texas summer any day.  She also taught Italian at the UT-Austin and served as editor for Cycle News in Austin.  Claire eventually began investing in real estate in Austin, which led to many fine friendships throughout the years.

On Halloween in 1972, Claire married the love of her life, Austin artist Tony Bell.  Claire and Tony moved into the Big House as they called their home on Garner Avenue.  There Tony worked on his Wonder Wart-Hog comics and other art projects.  Tony and Claire threw an annual croquet party inviting the not only the neighborhood but their ever-growing family of friends.  In 1991, Tony and Claire hired Tom Young, Sr. to build them a beautiful wooden home on the tiny island of Caye Caulker, Belize.  Tony and Claire had visited the Caye and its residents regularly, and it now became a true second home for them both physically and in their hearts.  Unfortunately, in 1993, Tony passed away while on the Island.  Claire continued to maintain her home on the Caye, thanks in part to her extended Belizean family, the Zenon Pott family, whose diligent attention allowed her to comfortably maintain and stay in her home for so many years.

Claire left Austin, and moved back home to Mason in 1998, in part to be closer to her father.  She continued her love of funky old houses and real estate investing, ultimately purchasing the historic Mason House Hotel, which was to be her final residence.

Claire was predeceased by her beloved husband, Tony Bell, her parents, Colonel Eli Grote Jordan and Sara Kay Jordan and her brother, Peter Jordan.  While her surviving family members are a small group, it includes close cousins Shirley Beth Lyles and Neel Lyles of Mason. Ronny Arnold and Lisa Goehmann as well as her godchildren Amber Renee Zenner (Chad) and Austen Ryan King (Meagan) and their children.  Claire also had a very large circle of friends she called family, in Mason, Austin, and Caye Caulker.  These friends are too numerous to name, but they know who they are.  This group knew that Claire's doors were always open to anyone who needed a place to stay or something to eat or drink.   Claire was as talented and generous a hostess as she was a friend.   She especially enjoyed her "toddy time" with her friends.

A special thank you to her hospice "ladies" and Gloria Lumpkins who took wonderful care of her for almost 4 years allowing her to stay at home.

As Claire would say, "Besos y Pesos".

In lieu of flowers if one chooses, memorial contributions may be made to Bluebonnet CASA, Mason, Texas or to the charity of one's choice.

A memorial service is pending and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.