Norman ‘Dean’ came into the world on July 9, 1963, in Meaford, Ontario. He went to Georgian Bay Secondary School (GBSS), where as a Grade 12 student he met Peggy Raeburn-Gibson – and that was the start of their lifelong story together. Dean and Peggy tied the knot on July 4, 1987, and they merged their last names to become Raeburn-Bell. They spent more than 40 years side by side, building a life based on solid partnership and deep love. Dean’s choice to change his name when he got married was pretty unusual back then but showed the quiet feminist values he lived by.
Dean got an Honours degree in Sociology from Waterloo University and then earned a Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Ontario. He dedicated his career to teaching. Over time, he worked at various schools around Grey County, inspiring kids from kindergarten all the way through Grade 12 before coming back to GBSS as a high school teacher. For decades in classrooms, Dean became someone many students could count on. His coworkers respected him deeply; students liked him; everyone remembered his patience, smarts, wit, and kindness every single day. He especially loved teaching history, social sciences, and psychology. Dean retired from GBSS in 2016.
Outside school walls, Dean was also talented with oil paints and had a great love for nature – his paintings showed how much he appreciated the natural world’s beauty. One quote stood out for him: “…the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:2).
But what mattered most to Dean was family. He was a devoted husband to Peggy Raeburn-Bell; proud dad to Sydney Blue Raeburn-Power (Gryphon) and Rowan Dean Raeburn-Bell (Kelsey); and an over-the-moon grandpa to August Dean, Louie Gryphon, Hugo Blue and Flora Sydney Raeburn-Power.
He was preceded in death by his mom Edna Bell (Reay) and dad Norman Bell from Silcote Corner; sister Heather Clarke (Bell); mother-in-law Mary Lou Raeburn-Gibson (Threndyle) and father-in-law Ian Alexander Raeburn-Gibson of Meaford. Left behind are siblings Tony Bell (Lois), Andrew Bell (Jeff), Holly Bell-Sparling (Steven), plus brothers- and sisters-in-law Richard Raeburn-Gibson (Stephanie), Tim Raeburn-Gibson (Kimberley) and Susan Raeburn-Cherradi (Abdu).
The love shared with many nieces and nephews made a big difference in his life too – he often joked that they taught him just as much as he taught them along with his own kids.
A celebration of Dean’s life will happen Saturday May 23, 2026 at Knox Presbyterian Church in Meaford, Ontario. People can visit from 9:30 until 10:30 a. m., followed by a service at 11 o’clock. The burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Meaford at about 12:30 p. m., then everyone is invited back for coffee, tea & some light food in Knox Presbyterian Church’s fellowship hall.
If you want to show support or sympathy kindly consider donations to Hospice Grey Bruce ‘Chapman House’, Brightshores Owen Sound Hospital or Meaford Hospital Foundation through Ferguson Funeral Home located at 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford ON N4L 1B9 who are handling arrangements.
Donations: Hospice Grey Bruce ‘Chapman House’, Brightshores Owen Sound Hospital or Meaford Hospital Foundation
