Harriet Leba Crell

Harriet L. Crell was born on January 30, 1933 and passed away peacefully on May 15, 2023, surrounded by Family, following a day of storytelling and reminiscing on the amazing and full life she led and the way she showered her family and friends with positivity and love. She is survived by her sons, Jeffrey (Linda Friedman) Crell and Steven (Amy) Crell, her grandchildren, David (Kate) Crell, Jacob (Marin) Crell, Hannah Crell and Emma Crell, and her great-grandchildren, Cora Crell and Leo Crell. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Marvin S. Crell, her parents, Julius and Jennie Gilbert, and her sisters, Maureen Gilbert and Charlotte (Phil) Schiff.

Harriet was, in a word, love. Her love of family was unmatched. She had a way of making every member of the family feel as though they were her favorite. No matter how many times you told her you loved her, her response was always the same: I love you more. That is how she ended every phone call with family.

She had a love of life that was also unequaled. She was passionate about making her lake home at Lake Wawasee a place to gather and have fun. She would serve as the center of the family game nights there, and cherished pontoon rides on the lake. She loved a good party and was a consummate planner of events. She was a writer, a poet and a chef extraordinaire. Her family continues the noble effort of attempting to duplicate her amazing recipes. She loved to play Bridge, both in person, and later online, where she demonstrated not only her card playing prowess, but also a fairly strong ability to master her computer and keep pace with technology.

Harriet traveled the world with her late husband Marvin, whom she met at Indiana University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. She returned to her hometown of South Bend, Indiana following her graduation from IU, and taught history and English to her students there.

It was following the birth of her first child that she embarked on what she would describe as the greatest and most fulfilling career imaginable: Being a Mom. And if awards were given for excelling at her chosen vocation, she would be in the hall of fame. She was legendary for her over-the-top customs surrounding the upbringing of her kids—from singing to them to wake them from sleep, to making them the most popular kids at their schools for the desserts and treats she would bring to their classes. For as long as she was healthy enough to do so, she attended every game, event, play or production in which her kids, grandchildren and great grandchildren participated—and again brought treats, desserts and meals for everyone in attendance.

Harriet enriched her family’s life with her love and devotion. But it was also important to her to enrich other lives as well. Recently, to honor the time she and Marvin spent at IU, and to provide opportunities to students with financial need, she and Marvin created and provided for funding of the Marvin and Harriet Crell Memorial Legacy Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship is designed to award financial aid to students at Indiana University-Fort Wayne who demonstrate hard work, a financial need, and a dedication to obtaining their degree. Harriet always believed success is best when shared with others. Her generosity with her success and love will serve as an example for her family and those whose lives she hopes to touch.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association. Visitation at 11:00am and a funeral service at Noon will be held on May 19, 2023 at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Home-Foster Park. A subsequent gathering of mourners (Shiva) will be held later that day at the home of David and Kate Crell, with details to be provided at the funeral service. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mccombandsons.com for the Crell family.