Marcella Toni Wells, 88

Marcella Toni Wells 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 United States 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. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family.