Dean Raeburn-Bell of Meaford, Ontario, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family, after a courageous battle with cancer and receiving MAID at Chapman House in Owen Sound.
Norman ‘Dean’ was born on July 9, 1963, in Meaford, Ontario. He attended Georgian Bay Secondary School (GBSS), where he met Peggy Raeburn-Gibson as a Grade 12 student – the beginning of a lifelong love story. Dean and Peggy married July 4, 1987, and they combined their last names to become Raeburn-Bell. They have shared over 40 years together and built a life based on unwavering partnership and steadfast love. Dean’s decision to change his name upon marriage, uncommon at the time, reflected the quiet feminist values he carried through his life.
After earning an Honours degree in Sociology from Waterloo University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Ontario, Dean devoted his life to teaching. Over his career, he taught in many different schools in Grey County, inspiring generations from kindergarten to Grade 12, before ultimately returning to GBSS as a high school teacher. Over decades in the classroom, Dean became a trusted presence in the lives of countless students. He was deeply respected by colleagues, cherished by students, and remembered for the patience, intelligence, humour, and care he brought to his work each day. Dean’s best-loved subjects were history, social sciences, and psychology. He retired from GBSS in 2016.
Outside of the classroom, Dean was a gifted oil painter and lover of nature, his paintings reflecting a profound appreciation for the beauty of the natural world. Dean’s favourite quotation is “…the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:2).
Above all else, Dean was devoted to his family. He was the beloved husband of Peggy Raeburn-Bell, proud father of Sydney Blue Raeburn-Power (Gryphon) and Rowan Dean Raeburn-Bell (Kelsey), and the beaming and adoring grandfather of August Dean, Louie Gryphon, Hugo Blue, and Flora Sydney Raeburn-Power.
Dean is predeceased by his mother Edna Bell (Reay) and father Norman Bell of Silcote Corner; his sister Heather Clarke (Bell); his mother-in-law Mary Lou Raeburn-Gibson (Threndyle) and father-in-law Ian Alexander Raeburn-Gibson of Meaford. He is survived by his siblings Tony Bell (Lois), Andrew Bell (Jeff), and Holly Bell-Sparling (Steven), and by his brothers- and sister-in-law Richard Raeburn-Gibson (Stephanie), Tim Raeburn-Gibson (Kimberley), and Susan Raeburn-Cherradi (Abdu).
Dean’s life has been tremendously enriched by the love he shared with many nieces and nephews. He often said that they – along with his daughter and son – taught him at least as much as he taught them.
Dean’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Knox Presbyterian Church in Meaford, Ontario. A visitation will be held from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Dean’s Life at 11 o’clock. The interment will take place at 12:30 p.m. at Lakeview Cemetery in Meaford, with coffee, tea and a light luncheon to follow in the fellowship hall at Knox Presbyterian Church.
As your expression of sympathy, donations to Hospice Grey Bruce ‘Chapman House’, Brightshores Owen Sound Hospital, or Meaford Hospital Foundation can be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON, N4L 1B9, to whom arrangements have been entrusted.
