Marian Ann Bell, age 100, passed away peacefully just five days before her 101st birthday on June 18, 2020, at her home in Dexter, Michigan. In her final days, she was surrounded with love from her family and friends as she was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister. She was born on June 23, 1919, to Alma (Nerreter) and John Schmidt of Saginaw, Michigan. She married the love of her life, William Franklin Bell, on Groundhog’s Day, February 2, 1946. They spent the majority of their 53 years together in Flushing before Bill preceded her in death.
During World War II, she worked at the Flint Stock Market for Payne and Webber, and later at Buick. She was a Council member of the Industrial Business Girls Association and was the first person to ever serve two years as Treasurer. She was employed part-time by the Mott Foundation teaching Charm classes in the Flint schools, and also sold Amway products. She volunteered her time when her children were young with their school Parent Teacher Association and was an active member of Parkland Presbyterian Church.
Marian found her calling as an interior decorator at the age of 55, and loved decorating homes for Decor’s Studio of Flushing until her stroke at the age of 89. Marian will be remembered for her love of family, large circle of friends, red hair, and a passion for dancing. She was a life member of the Great Lakes Swing Club, and attended dance events at Club Clarendon and the Flushing Senior Center. In her own words, “I lived to be on the dance floor.”
She will be dearly missed by her daughter Stephanie Bell of Dexter, son Bradford “Red” Bell of Roscommon, granddaughter Elise (Mike) Troczynski of Whitmore Lake, granddaughter Tarah (Joel) Ash of Pinckney, grandson Blake (Ashley) Bell of Fife Lake, brother Elwood Johnston of Flint, sister-in-law Bobbie Harrell of Sebring, Florida, nephew Craig (Susan) Allen of Fenton, and nieces Jill Claxton of Ypsilanti and Jayne (Bob) Carey of Grand Blanc. She so loved being a great-grandma to Pennie and Burban William Bell and twins Lauren and Jordan Ash. Due to the pandemic, a “Celebration of Life” will be held at a future date.
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