Mrs. Marian Harrison of Tryon died Sunday, January 3, 2010 at Smith Phayer Hospice House in Landrum. Marian lost her battle with cancer at 73.

Mrs. Harrison was born Marian Hamilton Martin in Atlanta, Ga., July 27, 1936 to Harold Harber and Boyce Lokey Martin.

Marian had a strong heart, a gentle spirit and a love of learning that endeared her to all who knew her.

She grew up in Atlanta, attended Sweet Briar College in Virginia and pursued further education at Clark School for the Deaf.

In 1960, she married Charles Bell and they went to Bogota, Colombia to work in the Peace Corps. Shortly after the birth of a daughter, Bell died suddenly of a heart condition.

After returning to Atlanta, she worked at the Atlanta Speech School. She married architect Thorpe Mealing and they moved to England where she taught special education while her husband attended Cambridge.

After 12 years, they returned to Atlanta where she resumed her work at Atlanta Speech School while completing a masters degree in psychology. She was the school psychologist until her retirement.

In 1991, she married engineer Paul Patton Harrison Jr. and they retired in Atlanta. In 2004, they moved to Tryon where Marian became a part of the social and art communities.

Survivors include her husband Paul; daughter, Mary Bell Jennings; siblings Harold H. Martin Jr, John Pierce Martin and Nancy Martin Sparks; two grandchildren, Lauren and Douglas and many nieces and nephews.

An informal service to celebrate her life will be held Sunday, January 10, 2009 from 3-5 p.m. at Petty Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, 130 Forest Glen Drive, Columbus, N.C. 28722.

Condolences may be left at www.pettyfuneralhome.com.

Petty Funeral Home and Crematory, Landrum.