Marcia J. Bellinger

Marcia J. Bellinger, a Northern Michigan native, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2024, in Traverse City, Michigan. Marcia was the loving matriarch of her family, a dedicated teacher, the founder of Belstone Gallery, and an active promoter of the arts and culture in the revitalization of downtown Traverse City.

Marcia was born on May 21, 1927 in Battle Creek, the oldest of four children of William Camburn and Lois (Prout) Camburn. Marcia was raised in Boyne City and graduated from Boyne City High School in 1945. Marcia married Joseph Bellinger of Charlevoix in December 1946. Marcia earned her B.A. from Adrian College and a Master of Arts from Sienna Heights College. She taught English at Addison High School from 1970 to 1980, and was awarded Lenawee County Teacher of the Year in 1977. She returned to Northern Michigan in 1980 after the death of her husband and taught English at Pathfinder Upper School and Northwestern Michigan College from 1980 to 1987. She married Irwin Stoner in 1985.

Marcia opened Belstone Gallery in Traverse City in 1986. Although Marcia had no retail business experience, she cultivated relationships with local artists as well as artists from across the country, and the Belstone became one of the premiere art galleries in Northern Michigan. Marcia volunteered and served on the boards for the Traverse Area Arts Council, the Downtown Traverse City Association, the Old Town Playhouse, and the Dennos Museum Center. In recognition of her leadership, Marcia received the 2003 Lyle DeYoung Award, and the 2008 Athena Award. Marcia served on the board and volunteered for the Women's Resource Center and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Marcia was a voracious reader, a progressive thinker, an avid golfer, a world traveler, and a skilled downhill skier, which she enjoyed doing well into her 70's. Marcia was unabashedly authentic to her own being.

Marcia is survived by her siblings, Donna (Camburn) Jarrel and James Camburn, and four of her children, Michael, Amanda, Charles, and Joseph, as well as eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Joseph Bellinger, Sr., her son Jonathan Bellinger, her grandson Erick D. Mangiardi, her brother John ("Jack") Camburn, and her second husband Irwin Stoner.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in Marcia's name to the Women's Resource Center, the Dennos Museum Education Fund, or the Unitarian Universalist Congregation.

A celebration of life for Marcia will take place at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse on March 16, 2024 at 3:00 P.M. followed by a reception at the Park Place Hotel's "Top of the Park" from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. May she rest in eternal peace and remain in the hearts of all who knew her loving soul.