Joan E. Marshall Macaulay

Joan E. Marshall MACAULAY Joan MacAulay, age 76, died peacefully at her home on Jan. 26th with her family at her side. She is survived by her sister, Clare Whitehead; her six children, Jill Crivello, Anne Traver, Rob MacAulay, Sharon Lunz, Doug MacAulay and Steve MacAulay; her sons and daughters-in-law and seven grand children. Malcolm MacAulay, her husband of 49 years, preceded her in death. A Canadian citizen all her life, she was born on April 14, 1929 on Vancouver Island. The Our Lady of the Lake Catholic parish community was Joan's extended family for 44 years. Her unwavering faith in a loving God and her certainty that her time on earth was merely the beginning of her journey are perhaps at the heart of her remarkably selfless life. Throughout her life she never failed to put the needs of others ahead of her own. With limited means and six children already crowded in a four bedroom home she welcomed a foster child and loved him as one of her own. Joan volunteered weekly for many years at Fircrest, a school for children and adults with severe mental and physical challenges. She visited her dear friend Ruby in a nursing home daily for over 4 years, and over her lifetime offered loving companionship to many other nursing home residents. On top of family and volunteer activities, Joan worked at Lamonts department store in the University Village for 30 years. Joan was physically disabled by Multiple Sclerosis for many years but because of her longtime loving caregivers, Pat Skrivseth (her best friend), Jeanette Son and Marilyn Muhammed, she was able to remain active and at home. Rolling her wheelchair down the Northgate Mall provided daily exercise and treasured social interactions. Joan loved her children constantly and unconditionally and as the family grew she extended that warm embrace to in-laws, grandchildren and friends. Her amazing selflessness along with her capacity to see only the good in people and in life will be an ongoing inspiration to all who knew her. A Memorial Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Church on Saturday, February 4 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the MS Hub, 1100 Olive Way, Suite 150, Seattle, WA 98101.