Obituary for Mary Harriet Sell

Mary Harriet Curtis Sell, aged 99, passed away July 16, 2018 at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Curt and Sue (King) Sell of Galena, Ohio. Due to their extraordinary care, Harriet’s final years were as blessed as the ones that went before.

Harriet was born July 12, 1919 in Cleveland, Ohio to her parents Levi Justice “Jesse” and Mary Emma (Lamson) Curtis. Harriet grew up on the family farm on Windfall Road near Medina, Ohio. The youngest of four children, she described herself variously as, “babied,” “a tomboy,” and “harum-scarum.” After completing high school, Harriet attended Phoenix College in Phoenix, Arizona where she earned her Associates degree in Music. After college Harriet met her husband-to-be, William “Bill” Arthur Sell, at the Ohio Match Company where they both worked. They were married January 10, 1942 at the First Christian Church in Wadsworth, Ohio. Shortly thereafter Bill was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps. While Bill was serving, Harriet moved to Washington, D.C. and worked for the government doing encryption and decryption.

When World War II was over, Harriet and Bill started their family. In 1960 they moved from Wadsworth, Ohio to Westerville, Ohio which became their permanent residence. In a home filled with love and homemade cookies (estimated to total over 200,000 in number) they raised their three sons to manhood.

Harriet’s first priority was always family, but she had myriad interests including solving the daily crossword puzzle, writing letters, practicing piano and giving lessons, playing cards (especially bridge), baking and gardening. Harriet was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her son Jeffrey Allan (Janet) Sell, and grandson Joseph (son of Curt and Sue Sell), as well as her siblings Virgil (Connie) Curtis, Emma (George) Knecht, and Mildred (Larry) Prehn. She is survived by: son William (Mary Ann) and grandchildren Katharine and William of Phoenix, Arizona; daughter-in-law Janet (Jeff) of Fredericktown, Ohio and grandchildren Kristen (David) Barnes of Columbus, Ohio and Matt (Sara) Sell and great-grandchildren Caleb and Owen of Canal Winchester, Ohio; son Curtis (Sue) of Galena, Ohio and grandchildren Julie (Brandon) Sanford and great-grandchildren Taylor, Madelyn and Emersyn of Westerville, Ohio, Linda (Nick) Salters and great-grandson Miles of Columbus, Ohio, and Annmarie (Brandon) Baas of Blacklick, Ohio; nephews Dale (Faye) Curtis, Ron (Edna Mae) Knecht, John (Ann) Prehn, Walt (Ann) Prehn and niece Julie (Jim) Prehn Hansen and countless friends.

Harriet’s soul was filled with kindness and unconditional love. She was a devoted wife and mother, a proud grandmother and great-grandmother, and a loyal and steadfast friend. She will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

A memorial service will be held on August 18, 2018 in the sanctuary of The Church of the Messiah, 51 North State Street, Westerville, Ohio. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. followed by a service at 11 a.m. and a lunch served at the church at noon. Internment took place at Pioneer Cemetery in Westerville, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Mid-Ohio Foodbank, 3960 Brookham Drive, Grove City, OH 43123 or a charity of your choice.