Marian Helen Hathaway's Obituary
Marian Helen Hathaway (Kuhn)
January 3, 1922 – December 15, 2014
On December 15, 2014 Mrs. Marian Hathaway passed into the arms of her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, at Arbor Hills, San Diego, California at the age of 92 years.
Marian Kuhn was born in Detroit, Michigan on January 3, 1922 to Amelia (nee Neubacher) and Otto Kuhn. She entered the Kingdom of God through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Detroit. Marian was in the first catechism class at St. Stephen’s that was not instructed in German and subsequently professed her faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour through the Rite of Confirmation.
On November 28th, 1946, she married Lloyd Hathaway at her parents’ home on Gartner Street in Detroit. The new family grew with the birth of Tom (1949), Tim (1952), Naomi (1953), and Jonathan (1959). As the family was growing, Lloyd and Marian were able to buy a new home in Allen Park through the GI Bill. They were active members of Mount Hope Lutheran Church and raised their children in the Christian faith.
Marian enjoyed singing and, as long as she was able, sang in her churches’ choirs. A gifted soprano, she would sometimes sing solos at special events. A special time for her was when she and Lloyd, along with her sister Dorothy and her husband Don participated in singing Handel’s Messiah. She instilled in her children a love of music. A favorite hymn was “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” based on Job 19:25-27:
I know that my Redeemer Lives!
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever living head!
He lives triumphant from the grave;
He lives eternally to save;
He lives exalted, throned above;
He lives to rule His Church in love.
He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.
He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Saviour, still the same;
What joy this blest assurance gives:
I know that my Redeemer lives!
In the summer of 1977, Marian, Lloyd and their youngest son Jon, left Allen Park and moved to San Diego. There they joined Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Marian took a course to learn computer skills and was subsequently employed by San Diego County for a number of years before retiring. Marian and Lloyd greatly enjoyed their retirement years.
After Lloyd passed on in 2002, Marian continued on her own for a while, with the assistance of her son Tim and daughter-in-law Patty. However with declining health and beginning dementia she moved into Arbor Hills.
She is survived by her sons Thomas, Timothy (Patty), and Jonathan and her daughter Naomi Heselton (Gordon); her grandchildren Patrick (Morgan), David (Ashley), Matthew, Jacob, Sarah, Gabrielle, Daniel (Blossom), Jonathan, and Joshua (Jennifer) and great grandchildren Audree, Liam and Preston..
She was predeceased by her parents, her first-born son, Lloyd William Hathaway; her husband Lloyd; her sister Dorothy Christ; her brother Ray; and her grandchildren Michael and Brandon.
Marian had a strong faith in her Saviour Jesus Christ and was ready to “walk through the valley of the shadow of death” and “dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23) Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord. We give thanks to God our Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for our sister Marian.
U Soli Deo Gloria U
[To God alone be glory]
What’s your fondest memory of Marian?
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