Nonna McCown's Obituary
Nonna McCown Was born on October 12, 1922 in Russia and died January 24, 2008 in Washington. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Clyde, and her beloved daughter Barbara "Dee." She is survived by her sons Nicholas (Beth) and Andrew (Lyn), 5 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Her children were her life, her grandchildren were her pride, and her great grandchildren gave her bursts of youth, joy, and endless occasions to brag. Pictures were hung everywhere and each child was seen as special. Nonna's journey through life reads like an adventure novel. Born during the Russian Revolution she escaped with her mother to Manchuria and spent her early years in Harbin, China, barely surviving the famine. She left China as a teen to join her mother in Japan who was traveling on business. With the borders closed, Nonna and her mother were stranded in Japan, leaving Nonna's step-father behind in China. The two moved into a Russian community in Japan where Nonna spent her teen years. As World War II approached they moved to Yokohama and survived the bombing of that city. After the war Nonna worked as an interpreter for the U.S. embassy. During her time with the Embassy she traveled to the Philippines to act as a court interpreter for the War Crimes Trials. She also volunteered as a "Doughnut Dollie" for the USO, sneaking leftovers to the Japanese orphans who roamed the streets. A friend convinced her to go on a blind date with an American soldier and it was there she met her future husband Clyde. The two married and returned to Fort Riley Kansas after Clyde's tour. As a soldier's wife, Nonna traveled to several states and to Germany. She gave birth to three children, owned a cafe in Arizona and finally settled in Washington State to be near her mom. Nonna worked at the Fort Lewis NCO club, graduated from Knapp's Business College, worked as a key punch operator for Puget Sound Bank, then for Puget Sound Log and Scaling Bureau from where she retired. Along the way she baked elaborate wedding cakes, was den mother to Troop # 77, signed her boys up for 4H and bought two calves, leading to years of county fairs and her favorite vacation spot: the Puyallup Fair. During her retirement years, she acted as interpreter for the Seaman's Center whenever Russian ships came to port. This led to a visit from the FBI and an invitation to the Governor's Ball. Nonna treasured her picture with Governor Dixie Lee Ray; but mainly she enjoyed taking the crew home for a home cooked meal and an opportunity to hear her native language spoken, much to the delight of her aging mother. As a mother to three children, Nonna was also "Mom" or "Granny" to an endless list of those she considered family. She lived her life with arms wide open and welcomed everyone in. No one escaped her generous hugs and she never missed an opportunity to tell us that we were loved. Holidays were celebrated, and continued, until everyone was included. Food was her solution to all of life's problems. Nonna treasured the people in her life and remembered them all with fondness -- telling the stories behind the many pictures she possessed to anyone who would listen. She claimed to be "rich" because of her family and friends. Nonna was of the Russian Orthodox faith but in her later years worshipped at the Eastside Baptist Church. She loved to dress up and to attend services with her great granddaughter "Katy." Her "ladies" at the church made her feel welcome and she found a second spiritual home in their company. Watch over us, Ma....Good bye, Granny. Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 30th from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm at Mt. View. Services will be held Thursday, January 31st at 2:00 pm in the Mountain View Valley Chapel. Reception following at East Side Baptist Church, 3575 Portland Ave., Tacoma.
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