Family members and friends remembered Sacramento State alumna and former State Hornet photographer Becky Bell on Saturday at a memorial service. Bell, 22, died following a 9-month battle with ovarian cancer.

Bell is remembered by those who know her as loving life, photography and being a positive person, even when she was battling cancer.

“She lived life to the fullest,” said Robin Bell-Wohlgemuth, Bell’s sister. “She was very passionate about photography.”

Bell was a staff member during the Fall 2010 semester. Even though she was on staff for just one semester, she left a lasting impression on those who worked with her.

Photo editor Robert Linggi said Bell was always in a good mood and someone he could count on to get things done. Bell went with Linggi on his first assignment as photo editor to take photos at The Well and said she handled it like a champ. Linggi said he knew Bell was reliable from that point on.

“She was a pleasure to have in my section. If there were a bunch of Becky Bell’s in my staff, I’d enjoy it,” Linggi said. “I’m going to miss her a lot.”

Sac State alumna and former State Hornet photographer Ashley Neal had many photography classes with Bell and worked with her on staff. Neal remembers her as a talented and dedicated photographer who was an all-around beautiful person.

“She was the sweetest person I ever met,” Neal said. “She was more than happy to lend a helping hand.”

Opinion editor Brittany Bradley was a photographer on staff with Bell and has fond memories of her.

“The first time I ever developed a roll of film, Ashley Neal, Becky Bell and myself were slammed into a tiny developing closet,” Bradley said, remembering the three laughed about it at the time. “She just had this positive outlook about everyone. I don’t ever think I really saw her frown.”

Bell-Wohlgemuth said her sister was interested in photojournalism and was looking at various publications in Sacramento to work with. She said her family is still coping with the loss.

“We knew the seriousness of her conditions, but we never could really wrap our heads around the thought of losing her,” Bell-Wohlgemuth said.

The family has decided to take any donations and give the money to the Women’s Cancer Center in Las Vegas, where Bell received treatment in her fight.

People wishing to donate in Bell’s memory can do so via PayPal to [email protected].

Mitchell Wilson can be reached at [email protected]