Marian Janet Ericson McAnallen

Marian Ericson, born on September 3, 1933 in Chicago, IL, was the first child of the late Harry (Henry) William and Clara Merle Ericson, both deceased. She was graduated from Calvin Park High School in 1951. She has 3 siblings: Darlene Ericson Schoenicke of Waukesha, WI., William Ericson of Algoma, WI. and Ruth Gray of Fishcreek, WI.

Marian married F. Victor McAnallen in Indianapolis on June 26, 1954 where she was attending Butler University majoring in Religion. The McAnallen’s have 5 children: MERLE F. McAnallen & wife Cherri of Grove City, PA., VICKI Galtieri of Hendersonville, N.C., MICHELLE Brauer & husband, David of La Pas, Manitoba, Canada, ERIC W. McAnallen of Houston, TX. and MARK G. McAnallen of Long Beach, CA.

The McAnallenís have 8 grandchildren: LAURA Durbin of Willoughby, OH. & husband Chris, NATHAN Galtieri of Asheville, N.C. & wife Theresa., NAOMI Harkey of Greensboro, N.C. & husband Jason., Niles Galtieri of Asheville, N.C. & wife, Christy., NATALIE Pinto of Greensboro, N.C. & husband Samuel., DEBORAH, JOSEPH and RUTH Brauer of La Pas, Manitoba, Canada.

There are 7 Great Grand Children: CAIN Ford and CADENCE Galtieri of Asheville, N.C., ADDISON Galtieri of Asheville, McKAYLA Galtieri of Henderson and, TAYLOR and JACOB Harkey of Greensboro, N.C., and KEZIA Pinto of Greensboro, N.C.

After their marriage on June 26 of 1954 the McAnallenís moved from Indiana to Nashville, TN where they continued their studies in preparation for the Mission Field at Peabody College for Teachers and at Scarrett College, Marian received her B.S. Degree in Elementary Education in June 1956 and M.E.D. in 1957. In 1962 she did further study at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN.

On October 22, 1957, the McAnallenís arrived in Bangkok, Thailand with their 3 month old son under the auspices of the United Christian Missionary Society of The Christian Church (Disciples of Church). They were assigned to serve under the national Church, The Church of Christ in Thailand, spending over 35 years in that capacity. Marian taught Bible and English in Thai Church Schools and was active with Womenís Work in Nakhon Pathom, some 65 kilometers west of Bankok. In 1968/69 the family moved to Bangkok where she taught in the Chinese Bible School as well as helping to develop the Lao Song handicrafts. In 1969/70 the family moved to Chiang Mai. While living in Chiang Mai in June of 1970 to June of 1971 she taught in The Prince Royals College and in the Church School of Nursing.

Reassigned to Bangkok in 1972 she was asked to Manage the Lao Song Hill Tribe Handicraft Project where villagers made their crafts which were then sold throughout the world. The proceeds supplemented the income of poor rice farmers. Marian was involved in design, procuring supplies, marketing, distribution and financial supervision of this million dollar enterprise until 1992 when she moved with her family to Hendersonville. She retired from the Division of Overseas Missions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Since she arrived in Hendersonville she has been very active with Trinity Presbyterian Church and its choir until her illness began in about 2005.

Marian passed away at home Thursday morning March 13, 2014 a little after 4:00. She was a wonderful wife and mother to her five children and their offspring and she will be missed by all of us! A memorial Service will be held 2pm on Saturday, March 22, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 900 Blythe Street, Hendersonville, N.C. Per Marianís request, those attending the service are asked to wear bright clothing rather than black.