Marsha Sell

Key Largo, Florida — Marsha R. Sell, a Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT), spent 53 years performing complex tests and procedures to help physicians detect, diagnose, and treat diseases, which included several years spent at the Charlevoix Area Hospital in Charlevoix, Michigan and continued working 17 more years at Baptist Health Mariners Hospital in Tavernier, Florida Keys...she was 75.

Widely loved, fiercely independent and rarely afraid to speak her mind, Marsha achieved admiration through her compassion for others, perseverance during the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, her dedication to learning new technologies combined with her ability to perform tests without power through torrential hurricanes. She married Richard Grayson Sell and together they had two children, Heidi, and Rick. The couple separated however remained close friends. Married and a mother at age 22, she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Dayton (Ohio), Marsha was pregnant with her second child at the time. An avid reader, she dedicated her life to her family, friends, career, and supporting children suffering with special health conditions. When not working at the hospital, Marsha volunteered at Upper Keys Habit for Humanity. A stanch advocate for marine life conservation and longtime member of the Garden Club of the Upper Keys; she was a past Secretary for the member-based group Wild Women on the Water (WWOW).

Family, colleagues, and friends shared their grief on July 11, 2022. A lover of Florida and Egyptian archeology. A gifted scientist. A world traveler. An adventurer.

During a sunset cruise on Florida Bay with Captain Mick Nealey, Founder and Chairman and Ken Ostebo, Executive Director and Board of Active Disabled Americans for adaptability water-related activities and experiences, Ken asked Marsha (who was having difficulty in walking), how does she continue to work full-time and carry on? Her reply was in prayer asking for "strength and courage”.

Marsha Ruth Sell was born to the late Charles and Wanda (Trent) Ruf in Tipp City, Ohio. She is preceded in death by her brothers Mark (Debbie) Ruf, Dan (Linda Trietsch) Ruf and Ben Ruf. She will be missed and remembered by her daughter Heidi (Stefan) Karlsson and son Rick Sell, Jr; brothers John (Marcia) Ruf and Ed (Linda) Ruf; sisters Mary Ruf (Craig Britton) and Anne Ruf; numerous nephews and nieces and their spouses and children.

A graveside service will be held at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Tipp City, Ohio on August 20, 2022. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Active Disabled Americans (https://www.activedisabledamericans.org)