By Joy Crist, Island Free Press
The Buxton Civic Association has launched its first-ever scholarship fund in memory of beloved community member and bookstore owner Marjean “Gee Gee” Rosell, aiming to support Hatteras Island students as they pursue higher education.
The BCA Marjean “Gee Gee” Rosell Memorial Scholarship was created by the civic association in collaboration with Rosell’s siblings and a group of close friends. Organizers say the scholarship reflects Rosell’s lifelong commitment to books, learning, and the Hatteras Island community.
Rosell, the longtime owner of Buxton Village Books, shared her love of literature with generations of residents and visitors after opening the independent bookstore in 1984. The shop, located in a historic kitchen house built from shipwreck timbers, became a well-known gathering place where customers often left with both a book and a conversation.
Originally arriving on Hatteras Island in 1974 to work for the National Park Service, Rosell planned to continue her career elsewhere before realizing the island had become home. She left the Park Service after roughly a decade and opened the bookstore, which she operated for more than four decades.
Community members say her influence extended far beyond the store’s walls. Rosell supported reading programs in local schools, encouraged aspiring writers, and quietly backed numerous community and environmental efforts across the island.
According to the Buxton Civic Association, establishing a scholarship in her name felt like a natural tribute.
While many memorial scholarships honor someone’s life, organizers said Rosell’s deep appreciation for education, literature, the arts, and the natural world made the effort especially fitting. The fund is intended to help local students continue their educational journeys while reflecting the values she championed throughout her life.
Rosell died on Jan. 29, 2026, following a brief illness. She was 73.
A memorial service and celebration of life will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, at Our Lady of the Sea Catholic Church in Buxton, and the public is invited to attend.
Light refreshments will be provided as friends, family and community members come together to remember Rosell and her lasting impact on Hatteras Island.
Click here to donate to the Marjean “Gee Gee” Rosell Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund is managed with the assistance of the Outer Banks Community Foundation.