Marian Wells McMahon

Marian Wells McMahon died peacefully on February 3, 2026, in Pasadena, Maryland, after a brief illness.

Marian was born in Glen Burnie, Maryland, where she lived the majority of her life.  She graduated from Glen Burnie High School in 1953, and went on to pursue a career in nursing, graduating from Union Memorial School of Nursing in 1956.  Marian began her nursing career in the emergency room at Union Memorial Hospital.  In 1958, she left nursing to devote herself fully to raising her family.  She returned to the profession on a limited part-time basis in the mid-1970s and resumed full-time nursing in the late 1980s, concluding her career in 1995, at the Anne Arundel County Department of Health.

Family was Marian’s heart and soul.  She devoted many years to caring tirelessly for her mother, who was disabled by rheumatoid arthritis.  Marian was the quintessential stay-at-home mom—serving as a Brownie troop leader, classroom mother, and field trip chaperone.  Her home was always full of children, with a pitcher of Kool-Aid and a plate of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches ready for the crowd playing in the backyard or swimming in the pool.  She faithfully attended every concert, recital, and play in which her children and grandchildren participated.

Marian was an avid sewer and knitter, creating countless outfits and sweaters for her children and later her grandchildren.  She loved canning and baking and was especially known for her homemade pies.  She delighted in entertaining and hosting gatherings of family and friends.

Music was another great love of Marian’s life, particularly singing. She sang in school choir, church choir, and with Arundel Vocal Arts (AVAS).  She was well known for frequently breaking into song whenever something someone said reminded her of a lyric.  Marian also loved camping and spent many family vacations traveling in the pop-up camper.

Marian had a deep and abiding faith in Jesus, which she shared through quiet acts of service.  She was a lifelong member of Glen Burnie United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir for many years, taught Sunday school, participated in the women’s circle and the Young at Heart group, and attended Bible study.  Marian and her husband, Don, served on the adult committee of Young Life in Anne Arundel County in the mid-1980s.  She was a strong supporter of Billy Graham and faithfully watched his crusades on television.  One of the great thrills of her life was participating in the Billy and Franklin Graham crusades in Baltimore, singing in the choir for every session.

Marian was preceded in death by her parents, George “Ollie” and Leona Wells; her sister, Ruth Medicus; and her brothers, George Wells and Wilbur Wells.

She is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Donald McMahon; her son, Donald Stephen McMahon (Loren); her daughters, Susan Bromhal (John) and Rebecca Bierc (Gary); eight grandchildren, Andrew Bromhal (Kara), Timothy Bromhal (Kate), Philip Bromhal, Erin Green (Kenny), Sarah Bierc, Daniel Bierc (Vincey), Rachael Kapsner (Josh), and Heather McMahon; and three great-grandchildren, Sophie Bromhal, Cecily Bromhal, and Josiah Bromhal.

The family will receive visitors at Singleton Funeral & Cremation Services on Thursday, February 26, from 2-4 & 6-8 pm.  A service of Christian burial will be held at Glen Burnie United Methodist Church on Friday at 12 noon.  Interment will follow at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Marian’s memory to Samaritan’s Purse at www.samaritanspurse.org.