The Discovery Mourns the Loss of Dawn Wells

Dawn Wells, who starred as Mary Ann in the popular 1960s sitcom “Gilligan’s Island,” died from complications of COVID-19 on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 in Los Angeles. She was 82.

Wells was a huge supporter of the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum (The Discovery) and was instrumental in the museum’s founding in her role as a trustee of the Terry Lee Wells Foundation. Dawn, a native of Reno, was the cousin of Terry Lee Wells who started the Terry Lee Wells Foundation in 1999. The Foundation’s mission was to support organizations in Northern Nevada that help to improve the quality of life for the underprivileged, with a special emphasis on women and children.

The Discovery’s President/CEO Mat Sinclair said:

“We are saddened by the loss of Dawn Wells. Dawn has a longstanding connection to Reno and to The Discovery. She was born to Joe Wesley and Evelyn Wells in Reno, Nevada, where she attended Reno High School.

“Dawn was a huge supporter of The Discovery and instrumental in its founding. Dawn’s passion for the museum and the community it serves will be missed tremendously.

“She remained a lifelong enthusiast of science education and she was always so very proud of our museum. Even in her death she continues to give to The Discovery as one of three charities she has asked her fans to support in her honor. We all are mourning her loss.”

In May of 2018, the Terry Lee Wells Foundation was dissolved. However, the Foundation’s legacy is represented by the incredible, longtime partnership with the museum that bears Terry’s name, the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum (The Discovery).

The Discovery is a locally founded, independent Nevada 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with tax ID #61-1474845. Our mission is to inspire by being the place to experience science.