Marcella Joan McMahon

On November 20th, 2019, Marcella Joan McMahon passed away peacefully at her home in Bothell with family at her side. Marcella was born on June 28th, 1922 in Camden New Jersey and was one of 7 children. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband James and daughter Patricia. Marcella married James Robert McMahon on May 16th, 1942 in Camden, New Jersey at the Holy Name Church. Not long after they married, James entered into the air force where he fought as a fighter pilot in WWII and the Korean War. During his time in the service, Marcella and the family traveled to Europe. Then they would make several trips across this nation, with family in tow as Jim followed his dreams of flying. Marcella would pack the house and family move across this nation and oh! The stories she would tell about these adventures. She could have filled volumes of books with their memories.

After Jim’s service, the family moved to Washington State and Jim was hired as the police chief for the City of Bothell. So, Marcella McMahon knew service as the consummate “military wife” and the wife of a law enforcement officer. Marcella had to be completely independent, possess the qualities of both father and mother, be a perfect hostess, had to handle every emergency imaginable without a manual, and be able to carry on cheerfully - even if she was pregnant and had the flu. She also had to be willing to move to a new location 10 times in 17 years. "She might look soft", replied the Lord, "but she has the strength of a lion. You would not believe what she can endure”.

Marcella McMahon is survived by her daughter Kathleen Burns and husband Kevin, son-in-law Steven Guthrie and her son Tim McMahon. She was blessed with grandchildren: Travis, Shane, Holly, and Christopher - as well as five great grandchildren: Jason, Preston, Hailey, Declan and Hannah.

Services will be held at “Lifetime Celebrations by Washelli” 18224 103rd Ave Ne, Bothell Wa. 98011