FELTON – Mary Alice Bell Rentz passed away peacefully on Saturday, Jun. 10, 2017, at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford.
Mary was born in Hazlettville, daughter of the late Charles D. and Gladys (McVey) Melvin.
Mary was an administrative assistant with the State Auditor's Office, Budget Office and Pension Office, from which she retired in 1993. In addition to her career with the state, Mary prepared the accounting for her husband's business, Bell's Arco. She was a loving caregiver and homemaker who took care of her two sons and both her late husbands, Joe and Don, during their illnesses.
She enjoyed being on the water, boating and skiing, researching family genealogy, crafting, knitting and cooking delicious meals. Mary loved supporting her granddaughter, Hailey, and was looking forward to her showing sheep at this year's Delaware State Fair. Mary graduated from the Caesar Rodney Class of 1954, and was an active member of Kent-Sussex Church of Christ.
In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her first husband, Joseph "Joe" Bell, in 1984; her second husband, Robert D. "Don" Rentz, Sr., in February; two sons, Jamie Bell and Jack Bell; father and mother-in-law, Roy and Mabel Bell; and a sister-in-law, Salena Soos.
Mary is survived by a daughter, Terry Powell and husband Mike, of Felton; two granddaughters, Jennifer Powell, of Felton, and Stefanie Powell, of Frederica; a great granddaughter, Hailey Powell; and a sister, Nancy Gary, of Idaho.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jun. 15, 2017, in the chapel of Berry-Short Funeral Home, Main Street, Felton with visitation Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Barratt's Chapel Cemetery, Frederica.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the Muscular Dystrophy Association-WEB, PO Box 97075, Washington, DC 20077-7258, or at mda.org.