Marian Helen Engel

Marian Helen Engel

November 26, 1941 – May 15, 2026

Marian Helen Engel, 84, of Gig Harbor, Washington, passed away peacefully in her home on May 15th, 2026.

Marian was born in Onawa, Iowa to Emery J. James and Margaret "Maggie" Agnes Mack. She moved with her family to Washington as a young girl, where she was raised alongside her brother Joe James, her mother Maggie and stepfather, Joseph Henry Schmidt. She graduated from Wilson High School in Tacoma, where she met John Raymond Engel, the love of her life. The two were married on July 1, 1961, and shared 55 years of marriage before John preceded her in death in March 2017.

Marian and John raised two daughters in the Tacoma and Gig Harbor area, building a home filled with warmth, laughter, and a steady stream of gatherings with family and friends. Marian began working as a switchboard operator before continuing onto Harbor Lights and Engel’s Interiors, and retired from Bates Technical College after 20 years of service. Those who knew her will remember her by her sharp wit, contagious laugh, and great sense of humor. But most of all, she will be remembered as a devoted wife, a kind friend, a loving mother, and a treasured Nana.

She is survived by her daughters Julie Thomson (Chris), Angie Schmidt (Aaron); her grandchildren, Hailey Merrill (Josh), Jacob Thomson (Jaymar), AJ Schmidt (Lindsey) and Johnny Schmidt (Alana); and her two great-grandchildren Willow and Sadie Schmidt.

A celebration of life will be held at Canterwood Country Club on July 11 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org/).