Marie Philomena Rawson

Marie Philomena Rawson (née Cusack), age 96, passed away peacefully at home on November 21, 2025, in Sunnyvale, California. Born on April 19, 1929, in Limerick, Ireland. Marie lived a long and blessed life rooted in faith, family, and quiet strength.

Marie was the beloved daughter of Alphonsus Cusack and Helen 'Nell' Cusack (née Lee) and sister to Kevin, Donal, Helen, Noreen, Cyril, and Martha. Sadly, Marie’s mother, Nell's passing in February 1932 saw the boys and girls split to separate locations. For the next dozen years, Marie grew up under the caring watch of the Sisters of Mercy at Mount St. Vincent orphanage. At the Mount, visits from her Grandfather and older siblings and swinging from the ropes of the church bells were among some of her fond memories during what was a heart-rending time. Leaving the Mount at age 14, Marie was quickly thrust into an adult world of work and world war. Tending the counter at The Cloverdale market for her Auntie Nell, Marie soon met a young Gerard Patrick Rawson working next door at the motor works. Later in life when asked to describe this young suitor, Marie, such the romantic, would affirm "Your father was a very good man."

She married Gerard on July 31, 1948, and they began a family together at 48 St. Joseph St. where both Brigid and Martin would soon be born. Ten years in and four more children later, Marie boarded a plane for a place she had never seen and a life she could never imagine to join her husband and sisters in sunny California. Together, Marie and Gerard raised eleven children at their home in Sunnyvale: daughters Brigid Simpkins (spouse Bill), Helen Belardi (spouse Jeff), Mary Ramirez (spouse Mark), Noreen Arata (spouse Bob), and Judi Ricupero (spouse Gary); and sons Martin, Patrick (spouse Becki), Gerard (spouse Marlene), Brian (spouse Stacy), Kevin (spouse Joy), and Brendan (spouse Amanda). Marie’s legacy lives on through them and through the many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought her immense joy.

Marie’s home was always alive with activity. Whether it be children running in and out to sports practices, school projects being built in the garage or instrument practice on the patio, Marie somehow kept it all moving in sync. As Marie grew older, she would enjoy following her favorite sporting teams on the kitchen radio or living room t.v. but she reserved her greatest fandom for supporting her grandchildren at their plays, concerts, dance recitals, water polo tournaments and hundreds of soccer games. She was a competitor and loudly demonstrated it through her cheers and ringing her cowbell on the sidelines over the years. She could also give you a stiff match of table tennis under the walnut trees and even took to the soccer field herself in league play alongside her daughter Mary.

Marie and Gerard were founding members helping to build the original St. Lawrence Church and lifetime members of the San Jose Irish Social Club and the United Irish Cultural Center in San Francisco.

A lifelong walker, Marie would regularly cover miles a day up to St. Lawrence for mass, then to the grocery store, then to the post office. No walk was complete without returning home to put on the kettle for a cup of tea. She especially enjoyed a seaside stroll with one of her sisters or her brother Cyril watching the boats sail into safe harbor past the Walton Lighthouse at Santa Cruz.

Always caring for others, Marie’s hands were rarely still. Beyond mending countless garments for her children and husband over the years, Marie lovingly knitted blankets, bonnets, and booties for her growing brood of grandchildren.

But perhaps most defining of Marie’s character was her deep and profound prayer life. Her days were woven with prayer. Marie prayed continually. She prayed for her children and for their spouses; for her grandchildren and great grandchildren; for her brothers and sisters; for the nuns of Mount St. Vincent; for her nieces and nephews; for her friends and acquaintances; she would pray for our friends and she would pray for our pets; she would pray for the Pope, and she would pray for our presidents. She would pray for those suffering and for those left alone. To know our mom was to know the power of prayer.

Marie was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, Gerard, her grandson, Kyle Ramirez, and all but one of her siblings. She is survived by her beloved brother, Cyril Patrick Cusack, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews spread throughout the world.

May Marie Philomena Rawson be remembered with gratitude by all who knew her—and may her memory continue to bring comfort. A Funeral Mass will be held on December 6, 2025 at 10 a.m. at Saint Lawrence the Martyr Church 1971 St. Lawrence Drive followed by a gathering in the church hall. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Cancer Center (https://donate.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/fund/childrens-cancer-fund) where Marie’s great grandchild, Kiernan, receives his treatments for leukemia. Granmarie always kept him in her prayers along with the rest of her extensive family.