Marian Irene McGrew

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Marian Irene McGrew (83) of Las Vegas, Nevada. Marian was born on May 7th, 1943, in Seattle, Washington to Margaret and Arnold Abbeal. Marian was raised in Washington State and Idaho, including Spokane WA, Moscow ID, Aloha ID and Coeur de’ Alene ID. She graduated high school in 1961 and joined the Tri Delta Sorority at The University of Idaho where she graduated with a degree in education. Marian began her career as an elementary teacher in San Diego, California in the 1960’s. She later moved to Washington State to teach in Juanita WA. It was there, while attending graduate school at The University of Washington, where she met her future husband, Bruce McGrew. They married in 1968 and honeymooned in New York City. Bruce and Marian shared a love of music, adventure, and good company. They were enthusiastic supporters of the Seattle music scene and frequently enjoyed evenings at jazz clubs throughout the city. They were also devoted Seattle Supersonics fans, attending many games at the Coliseum. Marian proudly drove a red 1963 Triumph Spitfire convertible, a car she fondly remembered throughout her entire life, while Bruce drove an early-1960s MG Magnette. They lived on a houseboat in Lake Union, where they enjoyed sailing on their sailboat that Bruce named “My Marian”. Bruce and Marian eventually left their carefree, hip Seattle lifestyle behind to start a family in 1970 with the birth of their daughter, Colleen McGrew. Their son, Stephen McGrew, was born in 1971. The family moved to Bainbridge Island, Washington in 1974 and built a home near Manzanita Bay. Marian was a homemaker in the early years of the family while Bruce worked for King County as a systems administrator. When Colleen and Steve were near to graduating high school, Marian opened a bed-n-breakfast on the property near Manzanita Bay. She named it “The Rose Cottage” and ran it for over 10 years. The Rose Cottage frequently hosted weddings in her extensive rose and rhododendron garden. She also supplied roses for Pegasus Coffee House on the island, which was like a second home for the family and their large group of friends where they would all sit together at “The window seat.” Marian cherished her quiet, peaceful life and happy marriage to Bruce while they raised their kids on Bainbridge. She was a social butterfly who was loved by everyone no matter where she went. She was an avid reader who made many friends because of a shared love of books. Marian also loved wine, cheese, coffee, and especially Italian and Asian food. She and Bruce were always the oldest people and beloved regulars in the many bars and restaurants they frequented. To go out to dinner with them meant that you would be introduced to the entire wait staff and bartender because Marian and Bruce would know all their names. Marian and Bruce enjoyed socializing on the island and were active in supporting their kid’s theater productions with Bainbridge Performing Arts. They were also members of the local rose and rhododendron clubs. After Bruce retired in the mid-90’s, they sold their home in Bainbridge and began an adventurous period of world travel and fun. They purchased a yacht and named it “Sunshine.” They spent many summers (nearly 20 years) living on the yacht which was docked at the Coeur de’ Alene resort in Idaho. They lived the winters in Palm Desert CA and Las Vegas NV. They often went overseas to Europe and also enjoyed vacationing on cruise ships later in life when world travel became more difficult. They eventually sold the yacht and moved to Issaquah WA. After a short time in Issaquah, they returned to Las Vegas to be close to their son, Stephen, where Marian spent her final years. She passed due to complications from Alzheimer’s. She never lost the memory of her husband and children however and was sure to tell them how much she loved them all the way to her passing on July 2nd, 2026. Marian was a social butterfly who was loved by so many. Laughter was her medicine, and her joy of life. She left behind a journal of wine reviews, an extensive catalog of books, and a family who deeply misses her. She is survived by her husband, son, and daughter, plus her granddaughter, Katherine Marshall. We wish we had more time with her, but as she often said when dear friends die, “They are flying with the angels.” So now is she.

Marian Irene McGrew

May 7, 1943 - July 2, 2026