Mary Maves Bellor

Columbia, Maryland - Mary Maves Bellor, who rose from simple, humble beginnings in a small rural village in Wisconsin to professional acclaim in the nation’s capital where she was named in Washingtonian magazine as one of DC’s most influential women, died in her sleep at 95. She was attended by her family in her last days.

“Under the spreading chestnut tree…” Mary was born in Greenleaf, Wisconsin, the daughter of the village blacksmith, Otto Maves, and Helen Maves, a homemaker. She loved to recite the Longfellow ballad of the mighty smithy, which to young Mary elevated her dad to a heroic figure. She and her four siblings were raised during the Depression. Mary told many stories of the strong life foundation created by her parents despite the struggles.

From Mademoiselle to the Women’s Air Force. Mary set her sights far beyond her small-town beginnings. After one year at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, finances did not allow her to continue. A chance reading in Mademoiselle magazine about the Women’s Air Force led her to enlist. Mary often told the story of being asked to apply for officer training at her first station in Minot, SD. She declined to the great disappointment of her commander. Mary joked that she was then assigned to March Air Force Base in sunny California as “punishment.”

Dad’s Feet and Crying over Tacos. Soon after arriving in California, Mary spied a pair of beautiful feet on the base pool diving board. They belonged to Jim Bellor. That encounter led to a first date that ended in tears. The Southwest-born Jim introduced tacos to the Midwest girl Mary, who promptly cried because she couldn’t figure out how not to make a mess eating them. Mom’s subsequent nickname, “Miss Pris,” went on to adorn bowling balls and their first boat. They married on January 30, 1954, and had 64 years together until Jim died in 2018.

Fruitcakes and Catalogs. After being stationed at various military bases across the US and the world, Mary and Jim finally settled in Falls Church, VA in 1965. Mary and Jim always said they wanted six children and so it happened. Raising that big brood on one military salary was tough and Mary was determined to pitch in. Thus began her entrepreneurial era of selling homemade fruitcakes and delivering Sears and Montgomery Ward catalogs to augment the family budget. Many a neighborhood kid was recruited to ride on the open tailgate of the family station wagon to finish the deliveries.

“Shoots Blanks.” Mary was destined to do more professionally, and she landed a job with a local newspaper group. She soon became their theater critic with her own column, “Around Town with Mary Bellor.” She became known as a tough critic. A classic headline from one review of a play about the American revolution was, “1776 Shoots Blanks.”

From Pool Typist to Foundation President. Mary took the opportunity to join the Washington Post in the early 70s. Her time there was legendary. Her broad-ranging talents came to the notice of Kay Graham who enlisted her to the corporate offices. She was a valued assistant to “Mrs. Graham,” as she called the renowned publisher of the Post, during the tumultuous Vietnam years, Watergate and other major news events. Mary was eventually named the first president of the Philip L. Graham Fund, still located in the Post corporate offices near Mrs. Graham’s side. As leader of the Graham Fund, she fast became known as a visionary leader in building up the arts and educational opportunities across the Washington, DC, landscape. She held that post until she retired in 2000.

Travel, Boating, Good Neighbors, and a Happy Retirement. Mary and Jim loved wandering, and for many years motored the waters off the East Coast. They traveled to Europe and Thailand. They were “Mimi” and “Buppa” to 10 grandkids who adored them. They wanted to give back and so created The James R. and Mary M. Bellor Foundation which is approaching 25 years of providing grants to college students. They believed in the power of community and created lifelong friendships from the service to boating to Tod Street and to Inglewood Court in Falls Church, Virginia.

It may be cliche to say that they broke the mold with Mary Bellor. But it’s true, nonetheless. She made her huge career, raising six kids with Jim, and rocking her unmatched style, look like a walk in the park.

She is survived by five children, James R. Bellor, Jr., Karen B. Renstrom (Bob Renstrom), Kay A. Bellor (Michael Myers), Mary B. Dunne (Bob Dunne) and Patrick J. Bellor; grandchildren, Emily Cantor-Bellor, Rob Renstrom, Elizabeth Renstrom, Jimi Renstrom, Peter Mack, Lenna Mack, Charles Dunne, Mae Dunne, Mason Bellor, and James Bellor; great grandchildren, Wyatt Renstrom, Thomas Renstrom, and Gianna Renstrom.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, James R. Bellor, her son, Dan J. Bellor, and her daughter-in-law, Cathy Mason Bellor.

The family thanks the wonderful staff at Charter Senior Living for their kindness and care over the last three years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at a later date, followed by interment alongside her husband at Arlington National Cemetery.

In Mary’s memory, please consider a gift to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Mary loved listening to and watching birds from her deck.