Mary Annette "Gigi" Mackin

1922 - 2021

Mary Annette "Gigi" Mackin obituary, 1922-2021, Portland, OR

BORN

1922

DIED

2021

FUNERAL HOME

Zeller Chapel of the Roses Funeral Home

2107 NE BROADWAY ST

Portland, Oregon

Mary Mackin Obituary

Mary Annette 'Gigi' Mackin
Dec. 11, 1922 - May 26, 2021
Mary Annette Hanover was born Dec. 11, 1922 in Dubuque, Iowa to Helen Pearl and Henry Joseph Hanover. Mary was soon joined by her two beloved sisters, Harriet and Joan.
Mary grew up as the country emerged from WWI into the roaring 20's. She filled her life with faith, family and fun.
Faith. Mary was a Roman Catholic. Through her participation in church activities, her career, and her way of life Mary lived her faith as a woman for others. She graduated from Mercy Catholic Hospital's Nursing School in 1944. While ministering there she met Bill Mackin who was patient recovering from a battle wound received during WWII. The two were married in the Church in 1948 and moved west. Bill attended University of Portland, and Mary continued her career at Providence Hospital. For nearly four decades, she provided comfort, care and love to countless patients in the respectful manner of her Catholic faith. Mary and Bill were founding members of Portland's St. Mary Magdalene (the Madeleine) Parish, where she attended religiously until the pandemic. She was a Church choir member for many years and her five children all received Catholic school education through high school. Mary was able to attend Mass last Christmas and Easter. Mary planned to return to regular attendance at Sunday Mass, but instead she was called to heaven.
Family. Mary was the eldest of three daughters and learned traditional skills from both her father and her mother. Women were typically not taught how to use tools, or how to maintain and fix things around the house, but her father shared this expertise with her. Her mother taught Mary other keen domestic skills that were manifest in her famous pies, cakes, gardening skills, and fastidious house cleaning. She grew bountiful produce in a tiny garden plot and canned the extra fruits and vegetables. Her 2021 vegetable garden continues to flourish on the south side of her home.
Mary's family was central to her life and she was central to our family. Mary and Bill were married over 69 years until his death in 2018. She leaves behind five children, Patrick, Timothy, Cherril, Mary (Mark) and Martha (Stein); as well as 12 grandchildren, John, Kevin and James Mackin, Kerry Decker-Cohen, Margaret and John Decker, Kate, Daniel and MaryRose Zipse, Erika, Stein W. (Will) and Natalie Nielsen; two great-granddaughters; and numerous nieces and nephews. When her first granddaughter was learning to speak, she could not say grandma. She called Mary "Gigi." For the past 40 years, almost everyone has called her by that name. During Mary's final days, that same grandchild described us as a "matriarchal family" and Gigi as Matriarch. This truth resonates. If you lost your mother, Gigi would enfold you in her arms and whisper, "I'll be your mom." She enlarged her family many times in that way. It was always about family.
Fun. Who could know Mary Mackin and not know of her playful fun-loving side? She had that sparkle in her eye, that elfish grin and silly giggle when something struck her funny. She would ham it up with grandkids and loved to play pranks on friends and strangers alike. Only recently, she conspired with two grandkids before an upcoming family dinner. At the gathering, before dessert was offered, Gigi turned to face the wall and started to pull down the top of her pants to show a large flower tattoo just below her belt line! Well, no one could believe it until she finally laughed out loud that it was "a fake."
Gigi celebrated her 90th birthday by taking a busload of friends to Chinook Winds Casino. Mary Annette would never turn down a chance for a trip to a Casino, including just eight weeks ago in Palm Springs! But DON'T count the card games she played as fun. That was serious business. She was a wicked card player.
Mary led the way into life for her two beloved sisters, Harriet and Joan, but in death she would trail them; as well as her parents; her loving husband, William D. Mackin; and grandson Thomas Mackin.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m., June 10, 2021, at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Portland. For those who are unable to attend, the service will be live streamed at: youtube.com/themadeleineparish
Private Entombment to follow the funeral.
Arrangements by Zeller Chapel of the Roses. Visit their website for full Obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/portland-or/zeller-chapel-of-the-roses-fh/9587.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Bill and Mary Mackin Endowed Scholarship Fund at Central Catholic High School in Portland.
Please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits

Published by The Oregonian from Jun. 4 to Jun. 6, 2021.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

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Memories and Condolences
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6 Entries

Rebecca Webb and Mike Moscoe

June 10, 2021

Condolences to the Mackin family.

Mike Alesko

June 6, 2021

It is never easy no matter the age. My heart is with your family as you move through the actions after death. Your mother has just graduated into eternal paradise Your hearts will soon be smiling....
RIP. Mrs Mackin.
Mag WEHRLEY

Mag Cecchini Wehrley

Friend

June 6, 2021

Gigi, Thanks for teaching us all how to live, and with such strength, humor and faith. Forever grateful for you, Shelby

Shelby Milam

Friend

June 6, 2021

What a darling picture!!!! She was a real cutie! I met amazing Mary several years ago when I was invited to join her weekly bridge gatherings. I greatly enjoyed her sense of humor (watch out for her fun tricks!), gracious hosting and determined spirit. She didn't let age slow her down, continuing to travel and host stylish gatherings. I found her approach to the end of life inspiring. I was so impressed when she was furniture shopping at 97 to create more seating for her family functions. And it was her wonderful family that helped her stay in her beautiful home. I'll miss her warmth and our weekly bridge get togethers!

Joan Galati

Friend

June 5, 2021

I did not know Mrs. Mackin, but have been a friend of Tim's for many years and I wish the very best for the family going forward.

Jerry Barron

Friend

June 4, 2021

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Memorial Events
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Jun

10

Funeral Mass

10:00 a.m.

St. Mary Magdalene Church

Portland, OR

Funeral services provided by:

Zeller Chapel of the Roses Funeral Home

2107 NE BROADWAY ST, Portland, OR 97232

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