| Mary Ann (Lassen) Bella |

Mary Ann (Lassen) Bella, 81, passed away on September 28, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Mary Ann was born in St. Paul, to James Pete and Marie (Vanosdall) Lassen, on September 1, 1942. Mary Ann attended school in Elba until the age of twelve, when the family moved to Grand Island. She continued her education at Barr Junior High and graduated from Grand Island Senior School in 1960. She married Ted Bella and moved to New York, then on to North Carolina, where she worked with the Alamance County Schools while she finished her education at the University of North Carolina, majoring in journalism.

Mary Ann was a journalist, multimedia writer, filmmaker, and producer at Bella International Productions. She was also active in local politics, project management, and civil rights. She was incredibly proud of her documentary film on Nobel Peace prize winner Gertrude “Trudy” Elion, and she was currently in the process of writing a book on the desegregation of North Carolina schools.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her ex-husband, Ted Bella; son, Steve; and both parents. Surviving family members

The Phonograph-Herald | October 18, 2023

include her daughters, Michelle Hubbard and Christine Eubank and their families; her brother, Bob Lassen of Lincoln; and sisters, Lynn Moody and Lori Stewart and their spouses.

She was a beloved grandma to her four grandchildren and “Grans” to her three great-grandchildren.

A memorial celebration of life for Mary was held on Monday, October 16, 2023 at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home.

The family wishes memorials to the family to be designated at a later date.