Mary A. LaSelle was born April 16, 1894 in Portland, Ionia County, Michigan, to Edward Lester LaSelle, and Nora McCutcheon LaSelle. She had a sister, Katharine (October 16, 1891–February 16, 1966), and a brother, Franklin (September 4, 1897–September 29, 1898). LaSelle earned a B.S. in home economics from Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University) in 1917. From 1925 until 1954-1955, she taught home economics classes at Walter French Junior High School in Lansing, Michigan.

LaSelle was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority alumnae club, and the Mortar Board alumni group. She also was active in the Lansing community. She volunteered for the Ingham County unit of the American Cancer Society and the YWCA’s Adventures Unlimited club. She was as a member of the Lansing Area Retired Teachers Club and the Plymouth Congregational Church.

Beginning in the 1920s, LaSelle lived with her sister at 420 W. Hillsdale St. in Lansing, until Katharine’s death in 1966. LaSelle later moved to Jarvis Acres retirement home near Dimondale, then to Burcham Hills Retirement Community in 1976. She died on September 9, 1995, at age 101.

Edward Lester LaSelle was born May 2, 1860 in Bedford, Cuyhoga County, Ohio. When he was a child, his parents moved to Portland, Michigan. He attended Olivet College from the Fall Term of 1878 through the Winter Term of 1881. On August 28, 1889, he married Nora McCutcheon (August 12, 1865 – July 11, 1921). The LaSelles had three children: Katharine (October 16, 1891 – February 16, 1966), Mary (April 16, 1894 – September 9, 1995), and Franklin (September 4, 1897 – September 29, 1898). According to the 1910 U.S. Census, LaSelle was a farmer. He also worked as a teacher. LaSelle was a member of the Knights Templar (Freemasons). A year prior to his death, he moved to Lansing, Michigan. He died February 28, 1920 in Lansing, and was buried in the Portland (Michigan) Cemetery.