1935-2011
She was born
Marcella Irene Bryan on December 23 1935, to William and Dollie Bryan, in Juneau, Alaska. Preceded in death by both parents and all 4 siblings; 2 brothers; William & Kenneth Bryan and 2 sisters; Dorothy (Hodgson) & Rosellen (Geddis), Marcella missed her family deeply. She was peacefully reunited with them on June 11th, 2011 at 10:20 PM, as her 3 children sat by her side.
The Bryan family left Alaska and settled in Edmonds, where the children grew up and attended school.
Marcella(her older friends and family still call her that) graduated from Edmonds High School in 1954. She worked at the Princess Theater in downtown Edmonds, where she met and became engaged to a sailor shipping off to the Korean War. It was a typical long distance love affair, letters were exchanged, and upon his return she married James Pountain in 1955. They would divorce 20 years later, but not before having 3 children; Penny, Mark and Jeff.
Family has always been so very important; that strong Irish heritage. She was so proud of all of her children and grandchildren, and just so pleased to be blessed with family. She loved her grandchildren and was so proud of them; Megan, Jody, Emma, and Ryan. Her son-in-law Mark Talbot, and daughter-in-law Shelly have a special place in her heart. Marcella also cherished Christopher and Christina Talbot, and especially their 3 young children Madalyn, Emmett, and Amelia. She devoted her life to raising and caring for her children with all her heart and soul. She truly was one of those struggling single parents who scrimped, saved, and sacrificed in order for her children to have a better life. It was a constant struggle to put food on the table, to pay the mortgage and the taxes, and to keep a roof over our heads. She went back to school as a displaced housewife and learned a trade, and quickly began to build a new life.
Her years at The United Way and then Children’s Hospital were the best years of her life. Marcie (all her new friends call her that) was devoted and dedicated to her work. That pride and strong work ethic is something she has instilled in those around her. The independence and the freedom of taking the bus downtown, making her own decisions, and being successful, all gave her a sense of accomplishment, and we were so proud of her. She was able to explore her other interests such as gardening, and yes, the once a chore, then a passion…mowing. You never saw a woman who secretly loved to mow like she did…there was a time she would take her mower to the neighbors just for the exercise. Just days before her passing, Marcie heard the roar of a mower right outside her open window…her eyes popped open and we swear she would have jumped off the bed if she could… there was nothing wrong with her hearing. For such a skinny thing that rarely ate, she loved to cook and bake those cakes, pies and cookies; there was always some kind of food to make you feel all better. Its some of those things that we got her to eat during the tough times…pumpkin pie, angel food cake, cheesecake, egg custard and of course she loved that ice cream.
Thanks to having friends with boats, planes and automobiles, cabins and extra room for a tiny thing like her, she was able to do some traveling, which she adored. She saw the Grand Canyon, The White House and she flew back to her beloved Alaska and was thrilled to see the glaciers and the land of her birth. She learned to relax and enjoy life, and that was an amazing thing to see.
One of the wonderful things about this kind and generous woman, is how she touched the lives of so many people. She opened her arms and took you in (and made you eat). When they coined the phrase Best Friend Forever, they must have been talking about Mom. Each and every friend she ever made was forever. Her friends from grade school have been with her all these years and are like sisters, each one having a special place in her heart. The work friends from years and years ago…still call and email. And of course her dear friends and co-workers from The United Way and Children’s. If a person’s worth was measured by the number of genuine friends acquired in their lifetime, Mom would consider herself a very wealthy woman, indeed.
We will miss her, the active, busy, vital, proud fighter that she was to the end. Alzheimer’s is a vicious and cruel disease that robs our loved ones of their dignity, their memory, and their independence. Remember her as she was, with a smile, a warm hug, and all those words of wisdom. She would listen, give advice, and do whatever she could to help anyone in need. She was our Best Friend Forever, and the best Mom we could have had.
We Love You, Mom.
In honor of her dedication and years of service, Marcie would greatly appreciate if memorial donations were directed to Children’s Hospital in lieu of flowers.
Memorial will be June 25th @ 2:00 pm
NW Stream Center @ McCollum Park
600 128th St SE, Everett 98208
