Obituary for MaryJean Howard
MaryJean Howard was born October 8th, 1946 in Aberdeen, Washington to William “Billy” Howard and Eunice Smith. She passed away on April 21st, 2022 surrounded by her loved ones and in her daughter's arms. Covid-19 and the after-effects, unfortunately, caused MaryJean to pass away before her time. MaryJean was raised in Aberdeen with her parents and 3 sisters and graduated from Weatherwax. After graduation, she moved to Seattle to study to become a flight attendant. Instead, she met Benjamin.
She married Benjamin Radka, and they moved around due to him being in the Navy. South Carolina where their son Ben was born, San Mateo, CA where their daughter Tanya was born, and then in 1976, Bothell, WA where the children were raised. They later divorced, and MaryJean went on to be a single mother who would do anything for her kids.
MaryJean worked as a receptionist from 1975 to 2010, when she decided to retire.
She wanted to retire in Aberdeen, so in 2008, she moved back home. She never fully retired and became a caregiver. After a few years, MaryJean decided she wanted to make the same memories with her young grandchildren, Ben the 3rd, and Allison, as she did with her older grandchildren, Natasha and Madison in CDL, Idaho. They loved their movie nights with KFC. MaryJean cherished her time with her grandchildren immensely. She went back to being a caregiver in 2011 and did that until 1 year ago. She then decided to move back to Aberdeen to live with her sister Susi when they both needed one another. They spent their time gardening and enjoying one another's company, they had planned a girls' trip just one week before MaryJean had passed away.
MaryJean had a hard time sitting still. She was always wanting to be on the go with her daughter, whether running errands or just going for a drive to talk, sometimes ending up at the beach. Every moment was cherished even if it was a simple errand. Laughter, fun, and love were in every aspect of her life.
MaryJean was a breast cancer fighter and survivor and had been in remission for 3 years when she passed. Even when going through treatments, her mind was always on her family. She loved spending time with her family, exercising in the pool with Tanya, and loved her weekly Bingo and daily Yahtzee, both of which she had amazing luck. She was a very positive person who could light up the room with her smile, which she always had.
She is survived by her daughter Tanya (Chris) Babic of Aberdeen; son Ben Radka of Idaho; sister Susi Hardin of Aberdeen; grandchildren Natasha Peterson, Madison Radka, Allison Radka, and Ben Radka the 3rd; great-granddaughter Ava Camillone; and lots of cousins, nieces, and nephews. She is preceded in death by both parents, and sisters Karen Howard and Barbara Thorne.
MaryJean was an active member of the Aberdeen Elks.
To share memories or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com. Arrangements entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary.
She married Benjamin Radka, and they moved around due to him being in the Navy. South Carolina where their son Ben was born, San Mateo, CA where their daughter Tanya was born, and then in 1976, Bothell, WA where the children were raised. They later divorced, and MaryJean went on to be a single mother who would do anything for her kids.
MaryJean worked as a receptionist from 1975 to 2010, when she decided to retire.
She wanted to retire in Aberdeen, so in 2008, she moved back home. She never fully retired and became a caregiver. After a few years, MaryJean decided she wanted to make the same memories with her young grandchildren, Ben the 3rd, and Allison, as she did with her older grandchildren, Natasha and Madison in CDL, Idaho. They loved their movie nights with KFC. MaryJean cherished her time with her grandchildren immensely. She went back to being a caregiver in 2011 and did that until 1 year ago. She then decided to move back to Aberdeen to live with her sister Susi when they both needed one another. They spent their time gardening and enjoying one another's company, they had planned a girls' trip just one week before MaryJean had passed away.
MaryJean had a hard time sitting still. She was always wanting to be on the go with her daughter, whether running errands or just going for a drive to talk, sometimes ending up at the beach. Every moment was cherished even if it was a simple errand. Laughter, fun, and love were in every aspect of her life.
MaryJean was a breast cancer fighter and survivor and had been in remission for 3 years when she passed. Even when going through treatments, her mind was always on her family. She loved spending time with her family, exercising in the pool with Tanya, and loved her weekly Bingo and daily Yahtzee, both of which she had amazing luck. She was a very positive person who could light up the room with her smile, which she always had.
She is survived by her daughter Tanya (Chris) Babic of Aberdeen; son Ben Radka of Idaho; sister Susi Hardin of Aberdeen; grandchildren Natasha Peterson, Madison Radka, Allison Radka, and Ben Radka the 3rd; great-granddaughter Ava Camillone; and lots of cousins, nieces, and nephews. She is preceded in death by both parents, and sisters Karen Howard and Barbara Thorne.
MaryJean was an active member of the Aberdeen Elks.
To share memories or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com. Arrangements entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary.