Chesapeake City, MD — Jane Ann Thomson Bell, 79, died in Middletown, Del., on Sept. 21, 2019, with her family around her.

In the early 2000s, she started owning Standardbreds. She enjoyed owning horses that she could watch locally, such as Winbak Carl p,1:51f ($245,621), Magic Card p,1:52f ($143,812), Low Country Love p,4,1:55.4f ($65,498) and Paper Art p,4,1:53.2s ($65,193).

Her brother and sister-in law, Joe and JoAnn Thomson, are the co-owners and founders of Winbak Farm. Her son, Garrett Bell, is the General Manager. They encouraged her to take an active part in the Standardbred industry. Most of the horses that she owned were bred by Winbak Farm.

Mrs. Bell was born in Cynthiana, Ky., on May 3, 1940 to Joe “Jack” and Elizabeth “Lid” Thomson. She attended Cynthiana Schools and after graduation from Cynthiana High School in 1957 she continued on to the University of Kentucky for a year. She moved to Groton, Conn., in 1963. While in Connecticut she met her future husband, Emerson H. Bell, after being set up by her friends.

They were married in Cynthiana at the Cynthiana Presbyterian Church on June 19, 1965 and then settled in Mystic, Conn. She had two sons, Joe and Garrett.

She was a very active volunteer, participating in numerous civic and church organizations such as Child and Family Services of New London, Conn. and St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Groton, Conn. She was also very active with her boys school organizations and scouting, serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother for both boys and also with the Stonington High School Athletic Boosters. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, word games, boating and travel.

She resettled in Middletown, Del., to be closer to her son, Garrett. In retirement she was active with the local bridge club, Red Hats and knitted baby hats for the local hospitals. She also continued to travel and always loved to visit her family.

She also enjoyed visiting the Winbak Farm of Maryland location and visiting with the employees.

She is survived by her sons, Captain Joseph (Dohan) and Garrett (Kerri Brodek); grandchildren, Katherine and Henry; brother, Joe (Joann) Thomson; and nieces, Ashlee Bradbard and Kimberly Zeller. She was preceded in death by her husband, Emerson; parents, Jack and Lid Thomson; and nephew, Bradley Thomson.

Services will be held at Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home on Friday (Sept. 27) from 6-8 pm. The graveside service will be at the St. Augustine Episcopal Cemetery on Sept. 28 at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions in her name to the various horse rescue organizations, such as Standardbred Retirement Foundation and New Vocations.