Marian Gail McKusker

Marian Gail McKusker of Centreville, MD, passed away on December 6, 2022, at her home. She was 74. Born on March 7, 1948, in Houston, TX, she was the daughter of the late Marion Leon Wallace and Annie Christina McPhail Wallace. As a child in a military family, Marian called many places home including TX, NM, and HI. While in Honolulu, she met her husband,Jerry, when he was stationed at Pearl Harbor. They were married in 1965, and started their family in California's Bay Area, where Marian had her daughters, Carol and Tammy. In 1979, her family moved to Olympia, WA, where she spent most of her life and called home. She was an in-home childcare provider while her children were young and later worked for Mills and Mills Funeral Home for about ten years. Her interests included reading and traveling within Washington State and beyond to see family and friends. Korea, the Philippines, and Japan were some of her most exotic destinations as she traveled with her beloved mother, Annie. Marian deeply loved her family and was so proud of her grandchildren, Ethan, Helen, and Maria, whom she loved visiting on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She would welcome or visit her mother, Annie, her brother Jimmy, and her sister Tilda at any opportunity. It would be hard to recollect a time when she believed her home could not accommodate another visitor. She was a long-time member of the Olympia Jr. Women's Club and the Xi Alpha Upsilon Sorority. But most importantly, she was a steadfast member of the St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Lacey. Losing the love of her life after 53 years of marriage in 2020 was heartbreaking for Marian, and she was grateful for the support of her church and friends. The timely friendship of a young neighbor family, the Kuglers, brought her so much solace and joy in the past two years and touched her deeply. Carol and her husband, Russ, patiently and lovingly cared for her as her condition declined in Washington. Tammy and her husband, Scott, brought Marian to join them in their home on Maryland's Eastern Shore to care for her in her final weeks. Both daughters experienced the blessing of being with Marian as she passed peacefully at home. Marian is survived by her two daughters, Tammy Sue Boone (Charles Scott) of Centreville, MD, Carol Lynn McKusker-Kent (Russell) of Centralia, WA; grandchildren, Ethan Charles Boone, Helen Abigail Boone, Maria Adele Boone; brother, James Wallace; and sister, Matilda Wallace. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Jerry Allen McKusker; grandson, Charles Scott Boone, Jr.; and sister, Shirley Wilson. Marian will be interred in a private ceremony at Tahoma National Cemetery in Washington State and a memorial service will be held on or near her birthday in March of 2023. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to be made in Marian’s honor to Compass Regional Hospice or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Marian Gail McKusker

March 7, 1948 - December 6, 2022