Mary Belle Thompson Denewellis, age 72 of Elwood, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at home with her loving husband by her side. She is survived by her devoted husband William "Bill" Denewellis and her loving daughter Kristea (John) Stipanovich. She is also survived by her grandchildren, all of whom she was very proud of, Isabella, Nathan, and Lianna Stipanovich, brother-in-law Daniel (Sandy) Denewellis and sisters-in-law Betsy (late Rob) Denewellis and Kelly Jo (late Keith) Highland. Preceded in death by her parents Edward and Maryjane (nee Russell) Thompson, brother Terrence Thompson, father-and-mother-in-law Joseph and Virginia (nee Wicevic) Denewellis, brother-and-sister-in-law Joseph and Carol Denewellis, Aunt Beke and Uncle Bobo, and her beloved cats Nick, Moochie, Feather, Oreo, Twinkie, Francy, Chopper, Josie, Carl, and Joey.

Born January 15, 1954 in Joliet, IL, she was the first and only daughter of Edward and Maryjane Thompson. Mary attended St. Patrick's Grade School until 1968 and graduated from St. Francis Academy in 1972. She worked for and retired from Illinois Bell with 30 years of service under her belt. After retiring, she pursued and graduated from the Gemological Institute of America in Santa Monica, California in October of 1996. She then went on to work at Spencer's Jewelry, appraising diamonds and colored stones. Mary was an avid scuba diver who was PADI certified as an advanced international open water diver. She also was a major cat lover who owned and cared for many in her lifetime.

Mary and her beloved husband Bill met in 1979 and married on August 9, 1980, enjoying 46 beautiful years of marriage together. At age 25, she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and endured many surgeries and joint replacements. Through it all, she enjoyed life to the fullest with an infectious smile and great attitude that kept her striving towards one adventure after another. Her favorite places of travel were the Caribbean Islands, New Orleans—the city she loved the most—Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, and Tahiti. She was thrilled to have gone to two Super Bowls in New Orleans with Bill and attended a wide variety of concerts through the years, especially Jimmy Buffett, Eagles, Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart and Frank Zappa shows. She was an amazing wife, mother, nona, sister, and friend who will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Grateful appreciation for Gentiva Hospice, with a special thank you to nurse Luz Chaidez, whose help, kindness, and dignity shown to Mary meant so much to her and her family.

Per her wishes, cremation has taken place. Mass for Mary Belle will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Manhattan, IL on May 2, 2026 at 11:30 A.M. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary's name by mail to Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation, Help Fight RA , 8815 Conroy Windermere Rd. Suite 309, Orlando, FL 32835 or online to The Gentiva Foundation https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/GentivaFoundation/GHS.html would be most welcome and appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forsythegouldfh.com.