Mary Marjorie (Gaylord) Bell

Grand Marais

Mary Marjorie (Gaylord) Bell died peacefully in her home in Grand Marais Michigan on May 2, 2017 at the age of 103.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Rupert Bell.  Mary is survived by her five children; George Bell (Helen Picel), Dave Bell (Dianna Beach), Laura Picel (Charles Picel), Steve Bell, and Richard Bell (Melanie Picel), 13 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Mary was born in Duluth on July 24, 1913 and raised in Algonac Michigan.  Her father, who worked at the Gar Wood boat factory in Algonac, introduced her to boating, horseback riding, hunting, and outdoor life.  After graduating from Algonac High School, she went on to the University of Michigan, graduating in 1935 with a degree in Business.  Although she was raised around motor boats, her husband Rupert turned her into a sailor.  When she wasn’t sanding and varnishing the bright work, she was sailing on Lake Saint Clair, racing the Port Huron to Mackinac race, and cruising on Lake Huron and Lake Superior.  Her children remember her taking the helm in the worst of weather, bundled up tight in foul weather gear while everyone else sought shelter below deck.   Mary loved Grand Marais and vacationed on the “farm” just beyond Sable Falls every summer, joined by extended family and friends.  She raised her family in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, and was a member of Bayview Yacht Club until her death.  She moved to Port Huron in 1978 and lived there on the shore of Lake Huron until 2011, when she moved to her home in Grand Marais.

The family would like to thank Sheila Arntz, Commission on Aging, and North Woods Home Health and Hospice for their capable assistance and kindness.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at the United Methodist Church in Grand Marais at 2:00 p.m.