Joan Bell Wilson - Obituary

oan Bell Wilson, 87, a 27-year resident of Edgewater and previously of College Park, MD, died at her home on May 17, 2026 after a five-month illness. Joan was born on July 16, 1938 in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI to the late John and Marie Bell. She was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Edgewater. She loved playing cards and Mah Jongg, though as much for the friendship as the games themselves. She was a doting Nana and loving mother who loved family time and the holidays, especially spending time with her grandkids and great grandkids. In addition to her parents, Joan was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Robert A. Wilson, and two siblings, Joe Bell and Catherine Kennelly. Joan is survived by her children, Karen (Mack) Salehi of Davidsonville, MD and Thomas (Theresa) Wilson of Edgewater; a sister, Suzanne Bell of Mechanicsburg, PA; her grandchildren, Colin (Ashley) Wilson of West River, MD, Corianne Wilson of West River, MD, Matthew Wilson of Southport, NC, and Emily Salehi of Davidsonville and her great grandchildren, Emersyn, Waylon, Marshall and Mitchell. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Joan’s life on Wednesday, May 20 from 6 to 7:30 PM at the Kalas Funeral Home and Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, where her funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 21 at 11AM. Burial will follow in Lakemont Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Davidsonville.