Bell, Marilyn (1937–)

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Bell, Marilyn (1937–)

Canadian marathon swimmer. Name variations: Marilyn Bell Di Lascio. Born Oct 19, 1937, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; m. Joe Di Lascio.

Was the 1st woman to complete the 20-mile Atlantic City Marathon (1954); was the 1st person to swim Lake Ontario (Sept 9, 1954); was the youngest person (age 17) to swim the English Channel (1955); swam the straits of Juan de Fuca (1956); moved to Willingboro, NJ, with husband. Won Lou Marsh Trophy (1953); named "Woman of the Year" by women editors of Canadian Press (1954, 1955).

See also tv-movie "Heart: The Marilyn Bell Story" (2001), starring Caroline Dhavernas; and Women in World History.

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