Maria H. (Henslee) Bellairs

Maria H. Henslee Bellairs, 98, of Woodstock, passed away on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at the Hearthstone Care in Woodstock.

She was born June 7, 1919 in Detroit Michigan to Frank and Sue (Bolster) Haven.  She married Edward “Ned” Henslee on September 15, 1941.  Ned passed away in 1971.  She married Malcolm K. Bellairs on December 5, 1975.  Mal passed away in 2010.  Maria was a loving mother, stepmother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

Maria was an active volunteer who believed deeply in family and her community.  She volunteered her support for such things as Meals on Wheels, Woodstock Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and the Girl Scout Sibequay Council to name a few.  In 1952, she served as a Democratic poll watcher in Alden Township.  Being a Republican county made it a very nerve racking experience.  She was an activist for the preservation of the Woodstock Square, and took particular interest in the Opera House renovation project and reclaiming of the Old Courthouse and Jail.  She loved playing cards, especially Bridge.  Maria had been married to two talkative men but remained powerful and effective in her silence.

She is survived by her children, Edward (Sally) Henslee, Ann Henslee, Sue Samet, Keith (Judy) Bellairs, Jerry (Vivian) Bellairs, Pat Bellairs, Kim (Neal) Esterly, Rick (Ellen) Bellairs, Jeff Bellairs, Chris (Jeannie) Bellairs; grandchildren, Nick (Kimberly) Samet, Ed (Lacey) Samet, Maria Samet, David (Amanda) Esterly, Bryan (Leah) Esterly, Nigel Bellairs, Graham Bellairs, Brennan Jania, Tessa Jania, Mallory Bellairs, Jade Bellairs, Kelly (Bill) Hallam, Rob (Bridget) Leana, Shannon (Dan) Taylor, Vivian Willis, Mason Bellairs, Joseph (Jordana) Bellairs, Stacie Bellairs, Matthew Bellairs, Malcolm Bellairs; fourteen great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren.

Her first and second husbands and a son, Mark C. Henslee, preceded her in death. Three sisters, Dorothy Gazolla, Suzanne Huffard, Barbara Miller and a brother, Dexter Haven also precedes.

A gathering of friends and relatives will be on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at the St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, 503 W. Jackson Street, Woodstock from 10:00 am until the Funeral Service at 11:00 am.  Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery in Woodstock.

Memorials to St. Ann’s Church would be appreciated.

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