Marilyn began her swimming career at the age of nine with the Toronto Dolphinettes, under the tutelage of Alex Duff. As an amateur swimmer she had marginal success as a sprinter, but her ability to swim longer distances in open water caught the attention of famed coach Gus Ryder.

Marilyn successfully completed her first course in Lake Ontario at the age of eleven with the water temperature hovering at 49 F. In 1953 Marilyn won the Lou Marsh Trophy, as Canada’s Outstanding Athlete of the Year, after achieving the distinction of being the first woman to finish the well known Atlantic City Marathon.

Marilyn will best be remembered by Canadians, when on September 9, 1954, at age 16, Marilyn Bell became the first person to swim across Lake Ontario. She had entered the lake at Youngstown, New York shortly after 11:00 p.m. on September 8, and was forced to swim much further than the 51.5 kilometre route, due to poor water and weather conditions.

Just after 8:00 p.m. on September 9, with Gus Ryder’s guidance, and Marilyn’s strong determination, she reached the Toronto shore despite the freezing cold water, stomach cramps, and fatigue.

In July of 1955, Marilyn swam the English Channel, becoming the youngest swimmer to succeed in this event. On August 23 1956, she became the first Canadian woman to swim the Straits of Juan de Fuca.

In the years that followed, Marilyn married Joe Di Lascio and raised four children in Willingboro, New Jersey. She earned a graduate degree in special education, and taught traditional classes as well as programs for children with special needs. In addition, Marilyn has been inducted into both Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and the Ontario Aquatic Hall of Fame . . .