Marion April Mather

An extraordinary woman passed peacefully on February 28, 2018.  Marion was born as the only child to Abraham Waller (aka Jack O’Brien) and Laura (Eleanor) O’Brien (Karasch) on September 16, 1930 in Montana Ridge, Buffalo County, Wisconsin.

Marion married Alvin John Mather on July 31, 1948 in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon.  They had three sons Chris, Robert and Steven Mather.  Later had a daughter, Maria Buck (Welch) A true Trailblazer  -  she started her first company in Spokane in 1957.  Marion was a very strong-willed woman who paved the way for others like herself to take their place in business.  She went on to become a national leader in her profession.  She is a stunning example of how a single-minded woman can make success a reality.

Outside of business, this woman loved the Holidays, flower decorating, antiques, baskets, entertaining, and traveling to domestic and international destinations.

Our mother was the matriarch and the rock of our family.  She stood as respite from any harsh wind that life blew in our family’s direction.  She helped unwind tough situations, and gave good advice.  A huge chapter in this family’s lives is gone and we will never fill that void.

She is survived by her long-time partner Ray (Clyde) Wilson, sons Chris A. Mather and his wife Nancy Brunkow-Mather, Robert G. Mather and his wife Sharon Mather, Steven L. Mather and his wife Kathy Mather and daughter Maria J Buck (Welch).   She also had five grandchildren, Clark E. Brunkow-Mather, Graham A. Mather, Tammy Markwell (Mather), Whitney Abell (Buck), and Sophie Long (Mather).  Grandchildren include Ashley and Griffon Markwell, Haley Long, Alexis Long, Nicholas Long, Carter G. Mather and the latest addition Ryker R Abell.

The family will be holding a memorial service at 11:00 A.M on Monday, March 5, 2018 at Hennessey Funeral Home, 2203 N Division St, Spokane WA 99207.  Burial service will be at 12:30 P.M. on the same day at Fairmount Memorial Park, 5200 W.  Wellesley St in North Spokane. No reception is planned.

The family wants to also thank the staff at Sacred Heart Hospital for the care, compassion, respect, and dignity that the staff exhibited to our mother and family in the final days of her life.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to the Spokane Humane Society, 6607 N Havana St, Spokane, WA  99217.

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