Marilyn N McKay

Marilyn Agnes McKay, 90, passed away on August 11, 2024, a few days after taking a serious fall that left her injured. She was a guest at Peppi’s House Hospice of the Valley in Tucson at the time of her death. Marilyn had been a resident at Western Winds Apartments for Seniors for many years. She was grateful for the many friends she made at the apartments and enjoyed sitting outside, watching people come and go, and petting their dogs.

Marilyn was a deeply spiritual woman. She loved Jesus and spent most of her life growing closer to him through meditation, prayer, and attending Catholic mass. She was a member of St. Frances Cabrini Church in Tucson and shared her Sundays with the many friends she made there over the years. Even in difficult and lonely times, she had a cheerful and positive outlook, and was always grateful for the blessings in her life.

A simple thing like getting a phone call, a letter or having a friend stop by to visit were cherished events for Marilyn. She loved hearing from her children and grand-children, siblings, nieces and nephews, and her friends in the Tucson area. Two years ago, her daughter Judy and her husband Dan relocated to Tucson so they could spend time with her and help her with daily needs, appointments and errands. To have them close by brought Marilyn some of the happiest days of her life.

Marilyn was born on December 21, 1933, in Oklahoma City, OK, and was the third of five children. Her parents were Edmund and Agnes Nashert and her siblings (who have preceded her in death) are Elizabeth Edge, Robert Nashert, Florence Stepp and Donald Nashert. As a "cradle Catholic", she grew up attending mass at St. Joseph’s Parish and graduated from Catholic High School in 1950.

In 1958, Marilyn was married to Bob McKay, a pharmacist with the United States Public Health Service. The couple moved from Oklahoma to South Dakota, where Bob worked with the Indian Health Services (IHS). Later, they were relocated to Tucson and fell in love with the unique beauty of the Sonoran Desert and mountains that circled the city. They had three children: Judy, Scott and Kimberly.

More than anything else, Marilyn loved being a mother, a grandmother and an aunt. She adored her children and was the sort of mother who made birthdays and holidays very special. She was an excellent cook and home maker, and she did everything she could to fill her children’s lives with happiness and love.

After her kids were grown and out on their own, Marilyn became a babysitter and home childcare provider. This is how she came to acquire her “second son and daughter-in-law,” Pat and Anna Neal. Marilyn knew that Pat was always there to help her with anything and everything. She spent many holidays with the Neals and their daughters, Rachel and Andrea, and was so grateful for their friendship and love over the years.

Marilyn liked to stay busy. She worked for several years at The Broadway department store in Tucson and eventually became a cashier at Walmart. Marilyn was a very generous person and she liked having extra money so she could give gifts to the people she loved. Christmas was her absolute favorite day!

Marilyn’s living relatives include her daughter and son in law, Judy and Dan Varon of Tucson; granddaughter, Jessica Schulz and husband Mike Schulz; grandson Benjamin Varon and husband John Kuhn; great-granddaughter Emily Shulz and great grandson Liam Shulz. Marilyn was preceded in death by her son, Robert Scott McKay. Her daughter, Kimberly McKay, cut ties with the family around the year 2000.

Over the years, Marilyn shared her days with several cherished feline companions. Donations in memory of Marilyn can be made on-line or by mail at Southern Arizona Cat Rescue in Tucson.