Marybeth (Bailey) Gezelle Obituary
Marybeth Gezelle passed away in her home surrounded by family on June 4, 2025 at the age of 60. Marybeth was born on October 10, 1964 as the beloved daughter to Joseph Vincent Bailey, Jr. and Mary Penelope (Gardane) Bailey and raised in Lanham, Maryland.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from University of Maryland School of Business and Management and went on to serve as a Lead Auditor for the Defense Contract Audit Agency within the Department of Defense until retiring in January 2024. She married her high school sweetheart, Rick Gezelle, on September 22, 1990 and raised three beautiful children in West Friendship, MD.
Marybeth made friends wherever she went. People were drawn to her caring personality, positive disposition, and infectious smile. She also had a directness delivered with sincerity that let people know exactly what she thought. Her exuberance extended to every interaction, whether in her work or in everyday encounters. Despite being diagnosed with terminal cancer, she kept this bright disposition for over three years and made friends with all her caretakers, continuing to make all days good days.
Family was always first. Marybeth wanted to be ever-present for her children and adapted her work schedule to part-time when they were young. Even on her workdays, she was there to see the kids off to school and pick them up from the bus stop.
Marybeth enjoyed sharing time with others. She drove seniors to their errands through Howard County’s Neighbor Ride program, prepared donation packages for local drives, and participated in other acts of volunteering. She also loved her “me time” as an avid reader, music listener, and beachgoer.
Marybeth is survived by her husband Richard Lee Gezelle, Jr.; her children Richard Lee Gezelle, III, Jeanine Gardane Gezelle, and Luke Clayton Gezelle; and her brothers Joseph Vincent Bailey, III and James Micheal Bailey. She is also survived by 11 nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents.
A visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at St. Francis Church in Fulton, Maryland followed by a Catholic Mass from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. A Celebration of Life will take place at Cured – 18th and 21st in Columbia, Maryland at 1:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marybeth’s memory to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (http://www.ocrahope.org).
