Cecil J. McNabb's Obituary
C.J. "Mac" McNabb Mac McNabb died early on July 1, surrounded by family in his home in Tacoma. A man who sometimes seemed larger than life, Mac brought his energy, intelligence, and sense of humor to everything he did, from managing defense contracts at Boeing to building towering campfires for his grandsons. Born in Seattle, Washington in 1921, he met Joan Hackman, the love of his life, at Highline High School. After serving in the Army, he returned to marry Joan, and they shared 61 years of love, laughter and adventures before her death in 2009. Mac enjoyed making friends on their travels internationally and by trailer throughout the Northwest, he was an avid gardener and bird-watcher, and he loved attending the Pacific Northwest Ballet, plays at Ashland, and fiddle festivals at Port Townsend. He had a tremendous thirst for knowledge, which led him to read voraciously and to test his ideas on everyone. Getting to know people, and frequently "adopting" them into his family, delighted him. Daughters Sandy, Laurie and Meg, son-in-law David Loughhead, and grandsons Scott and Eric were frequently amused by their father's/grandfather's passions and stories; they never doubted his fierce love for his family. Mac's professional life was spent at Boeing, where he rose from a pre-flight mechanic to become a program manager before his retirement in 1985. His words upon that retirement are fitting at this time as well: "It's just plain hard to leave all of these fine people, so I'm leaving quietly." He wanted no memorial service, but wished instead to remind his family, friends and colleagues to live and love fully, each and every day. The McNabb family thanks Franciscan Hospice for their caring support in allowing Mac to remain at home
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home
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