Obituary: Marcella 'Toni' Wells
Marcella “Toni” Wells, 88, died
peacefully in her sleep at home with her daughter by her side on
Nov. 12, 2010.
She was born Sept. 4, 1922, in Buffalo,
N.Y., eldest child of John Emil and Glyde McClarren Grimm.
She completed her early education there
and attended the Art Institute of Buffalo.
In 1943, she enlisted in the U.S.
Marine Corps, serving with the First Marine Corps Air Wing. She was
honorably discharged as sergeant.
In 1944, she married decorated
Guadalcanal veteran and Montana native, Marine Master Sgt. Phil L.
Wells.
After the war, they made their home in
Great Falls where two children were born, Kathleen Patricia and
Phil Lee Jr. During those years, Toni began what was to be a
lifetime career working for the American Red Cross.
When Phil was recalled to active duty
during the Korean conflict, the family followed him, living where
his U.S. Air Force duties allowed families to accompany him.
During an assignment to Bermuda, two
more children were born, Douglas John and Sally Brooks.
Wherever Phil’s military career took
them, Texas, Mississippi, California or Michigan, Toni continued
her Red Cross work, sometimes volunteering for the local chapter or
as an employee of the national organization.
She directed service to military
functions on bases and served on national disasters.
Upon Phil’s retirement in 1966, the
family settled in Lakeside. She worked for Montana Red Cross in
numerous leadership and honorary positions.
After Phil’s death in 1979, Toni
accepted overseas assignments for Red Cross on U.S. Naval bases in
Diego Garcia and Japan. In 1998, she was recognized for 50 years of
service.
In her early years Toni found pleasure
in swimming.
She also developed a talent for writing
and drawing which continued to interest her in retirement.
Throughout her life, acting was a
passion.
She performed on TV and radio, in
theater and even in one Japanese “monster” movie. Locally she was
active in community theater productions.
In her later years Toni traveled
extensively, recording these adventures in journals.
Reading occupied many hours and she
enjoyed discussing books with the AAUW “Lunch Bunch.”
She practiced speaking, competing
successfully in speech contests and representing the state
“International Training in Communication” clubs at an international
contest.
The Glacier Unitarian Universalist
Fellowship provided her a supportive spiritual community which she
treasured.
As she aged, Toni found fulfillment
hosting small groups, gathering them at her home to read plays,
discuss current issues or simply to sip tea and talk.
Toni was preceded in death by her
daughter, Kathleen; son, Philip; and husband, Phil.
She is survived by her wonderful family
— son, Douglas, and his wife, Mary; daughter, Sally, and her
husband, Ted Gigrich; son Philip’s wife, Barbara, granddaughter
Amii Limpp, and grandsons, Chaim Wells, Philip III and his wife,
Kami, and Douglas Wells Jr., and granddaughter Patricia and her
husband, Jared Wood; grandsons PFC Ted Gigrich, U.S. Army, and PFC
Michael Gigrich, U.S. Army; her two beloved great-grandsons, Henry
and Sean Wood; her brother, Richard Grimm, and wife, Judy, of
Medford Lakes, N.J.; and sister, Eileene Gardner, of Cassadaga,
N.Y.
There will be no graveside
services.
Memorial service details will be
announced at a later date.
Memorials may be sent to the Glacier
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1515 Trumble Creek Road,
Kalispell; or to American Red Cross of Montana, Northwest District,
P.O. Box 2406, Great Falls MT 59403.